Michael Penix Jr. had the worst game of his young career on Sunday, and the Atlanta Falcons quarterback was ruthlessly mocked over the performance.
Penix looked uncomfortable from the opening snap in his team’s Week 3 game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. The former first-round pick threw two brutal interceptions in the second quarter, and both were returned for touchdowns.
On the first pick-six, Penix tried to complete a pass to Bijan Robinson and did not even see the defender closing in.
Panthers pick-six off Penix! 🔥
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 21, 2025
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/uRUHBt3Rl6
Penix played so poorly that he got the meme treatment on social media.
Live look at Michael Penix Jr: pic.twitter.com/XBdFfXrfoZ
— The New Kid 😈 (@PicksGoDiff) September 21, 2025
Micheal Penix today pic.twitter.com/EZkpAlBwpC
— Dizzy 😵💫 (@jidzv1) September 21, 2025
Michael Penix Jr. pic.twitter.com/jkJkKHnTuj
— Underdog (@Underdog) September 21, 2025
Asked Michael Penix Jr to not aura farm and actually throw to his teammates pic.twitter.com/k0Rsje2tjF
— polo (@vintage_polo22) September 21, 2025
Michael Penix when he isn’t playing a defense full of practice squad players pic.twitter.com/hNYxJP1YCZ
— Damion Felder (@panthers_nation) September 21, 2025
Penix today pic.twitter.com/Yw0GlJFqHO
— ⚡𝔻𝕣𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕃𝕠𝕟𝕕𝕠𝕟 𝔽𝕒𝕟⚡️ (@RyanforSeven) September 21, 2025
Penix took over as Atlanta’s starter midway through last season after Kirk Cousins was benched. The former Washington star played fairly well, and the Falcons had high hopes for him entering 2025.
There were several plays on Sunday where Penix looked panicked while under pressure, which is not all that shocking given his inexperience. The problem is he forced throws when he should have either taken a sack or throw the ball away. That is something Penix is going to have to work on.
