Michael Penix hasn't taken a snap against the New Orleans Saints, but the Atlanta Falcons obviously gave him the memo. Don't say anything nice about the Saints. Ahead of his first showdown with Tyler Shough, Penix took that memo and ran with it, telling the media he doesn't have anything nice to say about the Saints.
The animosity is there, and when the teams take the field, the battle between Shough and Penix is the headliner because of what it has the potential to mean for the future. It's on Shough and the Saints offense to prove anyone can drop a quote but winning the game is a different story.
Falcons QB Michael Penix on preparing to play the #Saints for the Domecoming anniverary:
— Farrah Yvette (@farrah_yvette) October 1, 2026
"It's a nice dome. That's probably like the only nice thing I can say about them." pic.twitter.com/VivpgM97Ki
Saints, Falcons fans could get a first glimpse at the future QB rivalry of Tyler Shough and Michael Penix Jr.
This is Penix’s first time playing in this rivalry and it’ll be interesting to see if the head to head matchup between him and Shough is one that carries over for years to come. We’ll never predict another Drew Brees and Matt Ryan, but having a steady battle between quarterbacks adds a different element to a rivalry.
The Saints and Falcons are in drastically different positions on the quarterback front. The Saints know they have their guy. There isn’t any doubt about whether or not they’re building around Shough.
Kellen Moore went all in on the offense this offseason after a Shough impressed in a small sample size as a rookie. Through three games, Shough has reinforced that belief he generated last year.
Penix, on the other hand, has struggled to stay healthy long enough to really give an indication of whether or not he can be the Falcons' franchise quarterback. The Falcons have always had a strange back and forth between him and Kirk Cousins. The same could be said about Tua Tagovailoa breathing down Penix's neck this year, but he doesn't have the time to worry about that.
Like Shough, Penix came into the year without a full season worth of games under his belt, but unlike Shough, Penix was already 2 seasons into his career. The benefit of patience isn't going to be given to Penix just because of injuries.
The Falcons are in a place where they have to decide if he's their quarterback of the future quickly. This season could easily be make or break for Penix if the Falcons end with a top 10 or top 15 pick in next year's draft.
Penix is guaranteed Monday night, but it's hard to say he's even guaranteed the next showdown between New Orleans and Atlanta. If Thursday Night Football was any indication, however, the Falcons may have something at quarterback. The Saints already know they do.
Shough is going to be in New Orleans for years to come. The jury is still out on Penix, but if he is, this will be the first chapter in a rivalry between two young quarterbacks.
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