Falcons QB Michael Penix Throwing Again In Time For Offseason Program
The Falcons have a dual-lefty starting quarterback competition to look forward to this offseason, and it could be getting started sooner rather than later. After suffering a partially torn ACL mid-November last year and undergoing season-ending surgery two days later, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was spotted throwing passes to wide receiver Drake London at the team’s facility yesterday, per ESPN’s Marc Raimondi.
In the immediate aftermath of his injury last year, there was early speculation that Penix could miss the start of the upcoming season, but in an update after the season, Penix announced his expectations to be medically cleared by April. Now well into May, he’s a bit behind his own prediction, but he appears to be close to a return. Per Raimondi, a team spokesperson informed the media that Penix would be participating in Phase 2 of Atlanta’s offseason program, which can include group drills and instruction but not full practices in the traditional sense.
The Falcons have still not officially put forth a timeline for Penix’s return, but the 2024 first-round pick has been saying that he’ll be ready for Week 1. As good as that sounds, Penix will need to be back soon, in order to hold off new arrival Tua Tagovailoa for the starting job in 2026. Tagovailoa comes off a six-year tenure in Miami where he started 76 of 78 game appearances. He led the NFL in passing with 4,624 yards in 2023 and completed a league-best 72.9 percent of his pass attempts in 2024.
Penix took over the starting job in Atlanta over the final few weeks of his rookie season and opened his 2025 campaign as QB1. He made nine starts in Year 2 before landing on injured reserve. With 12 starts in 14 game appearances, Penix has completed just under 60 percent of his passes for 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He averaged about 220 passing yards per game last year before going down with the knee injury. Penix appears to be well on his way back to returning to the field, and he may be in a rush to do so now that his starting spot is up for grabs.
NFC Notes: Giants, OBJ, Bates, Seahawks
Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton recently underwent core-muscle surgery, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. The procedure should not affect Slayton’s availability for training camp, per Garafolo. It will also have no impact on a potential reunion with free agent wideout Odell Beckham, Paul Schwartz of the New York Post relays. The Giants hosted Beckham in late April, and while they have left the door open on a deal, they have not made an offer to the 33-year-old. Beckham did not play anywhere in 2025. Meanwhile, Slayton caught 37 passes for 538 yards and a touchdown in 14 games. He will be part of a more crowded receiving corps in 2026. The Giants will get No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers back from a torn ACL, and Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin and third-rounder Malachi Fields are among their new additions.
More from the NFC…
- Now entering the last season of a four-year, $64.02MM contract, Falcons safety Jessie Bates is due to earn a $16MM salary – the eighth-highest total at the position. The three-time second-team All-Pro is a good bet to stick around Atlanta in 2027, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic, though he notes it is likely the team will begin extension negotiations at a lower salary figure. While Bates managed his third straight full season last year and once again posted solid production (98 tackles, three interceptions), age is working against him as he seeks his next deal. By the time the 2027 season kicks off, Bates will be 30 years old. In the meantime, he will pair with Falcons safety Xavier Watts for the second year in a row. Those two accounted for defensive snap shares around 99% in 2025, an impressive rookie season for Watts.
- No cornerback taller than 6-foot-4 has ever played a regular-season NFL game. That will change if Seahawks cornerback Tyrone Broden earns a roster spot. The 6-5 Broden joined the Seahawks as an undrafted receiver last year, but he is now transitioning to the defensive side of the ball, per Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. Broden spent some of last season on the Seahawks’ practice squad and did not get into any games. The reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks boast a loaded defensive backfield, which works against Broden, but they lost 6-4 corner Riq Woolen to the Eagles in free agency.
- In another position switch, the Buccaneers’ Nash Hutmacher is shifting from defensive tackle to guard, Greg Auman of FOX Sports reports. Undrafted a year ago, the former Nebraska D-tackle spent the season on the Bucs’ practice squad.
- In using a a seventh-round pick on former LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, the Chiefs took a potential option away from the Packers. Green Bay would have had interest in Nussmeier had he gone undrafted, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN relays. The Packers pivoted to former Virginia Tech QB Kyron Drones on the UDFA market. Drones, Tyrod Taylor and Kyle McCord are their backup options behind starter Jordan Love. Like Drones, Taylor is a Virginia Tech product. The 36-year-old has carved out a long career as an occasional starter/dependable backup since the Ravens selected him in the sixth round of the 2011 draft.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/11/26
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Ross Blacklock, LB Daveren Rayner
- Waived: TE Brandon Frazier, DT Ben Stille, WR Deven Thompkins, RB Carlos Washington
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: S K’Von Wallace
Buffalo Bills
- Waived: CB M.J. Devonshire
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Kyron Hudson, LB Wayne Matthews III, LB Jon Rhattigan
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Michael Coats Jr.
- Waived: TE Sal Cannella
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Paul Manning, WR Michael Woods
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Evan Hull
- Waived: TE Luke Lachey
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Cameron McGrone
- Waived: WR Brenden Rice
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: FB DJ Herman
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Bangally Kamara, DL Smith Vilbert
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Xavier Holmes, S Peter Manuma
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Brock Rechsteiner
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Jaden Keller
- Waived: LB Ochaun Mathis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: C Greg Crippen
- Waived: OT Sataoa Laumea
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Larry Worth III
- Waived: LB Milo Eifler
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed off waivers (from Colts): LB John Bullock
- Waived: LS Wesley Brown, WR Noah Short, LB Benton Whitley, RB Owen Wright
Falcons To Sign OL Layden Robinson
Layden Robinson was among the players who took part in the Falcons’ rookie minicamp this past weekend. His showing in that regard has resulted in a deal.
Robinson and Atlanta have agreed to terms, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports. This marks Robinson’s latest opportunity to compete for a roster spot in 2026. He signed a futures deal with the Raiders in January but was waived earlier this month.
A fourth-round pick in 2024, Robinson saw an immediate role with the Patriots. He made 13 appearances and 11 starts at guard as a rookie. Last summer saw him placed on injured reserve, though, and New England eventually moved on midway through the season. Robinson will now look to compete for a depth role up front in Atlanta.
The Falcons’ starting guard tandem is set with Matthew Bergeron and Chris Lindstrom. Both are under contract for 2026 (although Bergeron is a pending free agent for next spring). Robinson will aim to land a backup spot along the interior through OTAs and minicamp into training camp this summer. He saw time at left and right guard during his Patriots run in 2024.
The 25-year-old drew underwhelming PFF reviews in terms of run blocking and pass protection with New England. Robinson will attempt to rebound if he manages to secure a roster spot this summer and sees any playing time with Atlanta. The Falcons entered Monday with nearly $19MM in cap space, and this contract will no doubt check in around the league minimum. There will be room left for further roster tweaks once it is made official.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/10/26
Here are a couple rare Sunday NFL transactions:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Brandon Walton
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Landon Young
- Waived: WR Mac Dalena
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: RB Kadarius Calloway, OLB Yasir Holmes, WR Dean Patterson
After two years each with the Buccaneers and Panthers, Walton will remain in the NFC South following a successful tryout at Atlanta’s rookie minicamp.
The Jets let go of Dalena in order to bring in some offensive line depth. Young spent the past four years in New Orleans as a versatile backup option. Over the course of his rookie contract, Young made 12 starts in 56 game appearances. Those 12 starts included assignments at both tackle and both guard spots along the Saints offensive line.
The Buccaneers are rewarding Calloway, Holmes, and Patterson with undrafted free agent contracts after successful tryouts at their rookie minicamp. Calloway transferred around liberally over the past three years, spending time at Old Dominion, Cal, and New Mexico before finding his way to the NFL. Patterson, a Tampa native, spent four years at FIU before transferring to Georgia Tech for his final year of eligibility. Holmes started his collegiate career at Frostburg State but spent the 2025 season at Tarleton State.
Falcons Add 14 UDFAs
The Falcons left the draft with only six rookies, but the team significantly increased their first-year roster today. The Falcons announced the signing of 14 undrafted free agents:
- Brandon Frazier, TE (Auburn)
- Jack Strand, QB (Minnesota State-Moorehead)
- Kam Dewberry, OG (Alabama)
- James Brockermeyer, C (Miami)
- Riley Mahlman, OT (Wisconsin)
- Le’Meke Brockington, WR (Minnesota)
- Vinny Anthony, WR (Wisconsin)
- Carlos Allen, DT (Houston)
- Malcolm DeWalt, CB (Akron)
- Jack Velling, TE (Michigan State)
- CJ Nunnally, DE (Purdue)
- Philip Florenzo, LS (Clemson)
- Cash Jones, RB (Georgia)
- Keelan Marion, WR (Miami)
The Falcons added a Division II star in Jack Strand, who started the last four seasons at Minnesota State-Moorehead. The QB set a number of school records, but he also finished his collegiate career ranked top-10 all time in DII for passing yards and completions. The rookie would represent a practice squad developmental piece for the franchise, as the rest of the organization’s depth (Michael Penix, Tua Tagovailoa, Trevor Siemian) will earn spots on the 53.
Falcons fans may be excited about the addition of Georgia standout Cash Jones. The RB served as a bit of a Swiss Army Knife for his Bulldogs, finishing his college career with more catches (57) than carries (52). He also saw some work in the return game and tallied seven tackles across five seasons. His best shot at making the 53-man roster would be via special teams, although he could perhaps beat out the likes of Tyler Goodson, Nathan Carter, and Carlos Washington for the RB3 role in Atlanta.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/7/26
A slew of rookies signed their first NFL contracts on Thursday. Here’s a look…
Arizona Cardinals
- WR Reggie Virgil (fifth round, Texas Tech)
- LB Karson Sharar (sixth round, Iowa)
- T Jayden Williams (seventh round, Ole Miss)
Atlanta Falcons
- WR Zachariah Branch (third round, Georgia)
- LB Kendal Daniels (fourth round, Oklahoma)
- LB Harold Perkins Jr. (sixth round, LSU)
- T Ethan Onianwa (seventh round, Ohio State)
Buffalo Bills
- OLB TJ Parker (second round, Clemson)
- S Jalon Kilgore (fifth round, South Carolina)
- DT Zane Durant (fifth round, Penn State)
- CB Toriano Pride Jr. (seventh round, Missouri)
- P Tommy Doman Jr. (seventh round, Florida)
- G Ar’maj Reed-Adams (seventh round, Texas A&M)
Denver Broncos
- TE Justin Joly (fifth round, NC State)
- S Miles Scott (seventh round, Illinois)
Indianapolis Colts
- LB CJ Allen (second round, Georgia)
- S A.J. Haulcy (third round, LSU)
- EDGE George Gumbs Jr. (fifth round, Florida)
- EDGE Caden Curry (sixth round, Ohio State)
- RB Seth McGowan (seventh round, Kentucky)
- WR Deion Burks (seventh round, Oklahoma)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- DT Albert Regis (third round, Texas A&M)
- OL Emmanuel Pregnon (third round, Miami)
- S Jalen Huskey (third round, Maryland)
- DE Wesley Williams (fourth round, Duke)
- TE Tanner Koziol (fifth round, Houston)
- WR Josh Cameron (sixth round, Baylor)
- WR CJ Williams (sixth round, Stanford)
- DE Zach Durfee (seventh round, Washington)
- LB Parker Hughes (seventh round, Middle Tennessee State)
New York Giants
- WR Malachi Fields (third round, Notre Dame)
- DT Bobby Jamison-Travis (sixth round, Auburn)
- T J.C. Davis (sixth round, Illinois)
- LB Jack Kelly (sixth round, BYU)
New York Jets
- QB Cade Klubnik (fourth round, Clemson)
- S VJ Payne (seventh round, Kansas State)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- WR Ted Hurst (third round, Georgia State)
- CB Keionte Scott (fourth round, Miami)
- DT DeMonte Capehart (fifth round, Clemson)
- G Billy Schrauth (fifth round, Notre Dame)
- TE Bauer Sharp (sixth round, LSU)
With the Jaguars’ three-day rookie minicamp scheduled to start Friday, they now have nine of their 10 picks under contract. The lone exception is their top choice, second-round tight end Nate Boerkircher.
The Buccaneers are in a similar situation to the Jaguars. Their second-rounder, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, is also unsigned. Meanwhile, Hurst has not officially put pen to paper, but that will change when he arrives for rookie camp on Friday. He has already agreed to terms, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/7/26
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: WR Andre Baccellia (failed physical)
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB Darren Hall
- Waived: S Tysheem Johnson
Carolina Panthers
- Waived: LB Jacoby Windmon
Chicago Bears
- Waived: DB Zah Frazier
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Waived: OL Sal Wormley
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: DL Josh Fuga, CB Jordan Oladokun
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DL Zxavian Harris
New York Giants
- Released: DL Marlon Tuipulotu
- Waived: LB Swayze Bozeman, DL Elijah Chatman, WR Courtney Jackson
New York Jets
- Waived: C Gus Hartwig (failed physical)
- Waived/injured: S Chris Smith
The Bears surprised many today when they moved on from 2025 fifth-round pick Zah Frazier. The six-foot-three cornerback sat out his entire rookie campaign for what the team described as a “personal reason,” leading to his placement on the non-football injury list. As Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun Times notes, GM Ryan Poles recently acknowledged that the player had a “mountain to climb” if he hoped to contribute in 2026, with the executive adding that Frazier “needed to play” last year. Now, the defensive back will have to make his NFL debut elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals received a roster exemption today for international player Valentin Senn. The former Austrian prospect will be auditioning for a spot on Arizona’s offensive line. The Jets also got a roster exemption for Paschal Ekeji. The former rugby player will be competing for a spot on the Jets defensive line.
Saints To Work Out QBs Kyle Trask, Easton Stick
The Saints are exploring their options for veteran quarterback depth. Easton Stick and Kyle Trask are both set to try out for the team at their rookie minicamp, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.
2025 second-round pick Tyler Shough took over as the Saints’ starting quarterback midway through his rookie season, with 2024 fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler demoted to backup. The pair of young passers are set to return in those roles this year, but with just three combined seasons in the NFL, New Orleans may prefer a more experienced player for the third-string job.
The team already signed former Jets first-rounder Zach Wilson to a veteran minimum deal this offseason. His 33 career starts are more than Shough and Rattler combined, though none have come since 2023. Stick and Trask have less playing experience, but they have spent just as much time in the league.
Stick, 30, was a fifth-round pick by the Chargers in 2019. He only appeared in one game (and attempted one pass) across the first four years of his career, but started four games in 2023 with Justin Herbert sidelined by season-ending surgery. Stick played surprisingly well, but Los Angeles went winless in his starts. He has not seen the field since and spent last year with the Falcons.
The Buccaneers saw some starting potential in Trask, who they selected with a second-round pick in 2021. He spent two years behind Tom Brady with virtually no playing time, and he did not inspire enough confidence to earn a shot at the starting quarterback job after Brady’s retirement in 2023. Instead, Tampa Bay transitioned to Baker Mayfield, who played all but a handful of snaps across the next two years. The Bucs released Trask during final roster cuts last season; the 28-year-old took Stick’s spot on the Falcons’ practice squad in November when he was promoted to the active roster.
The Saints will also be hosting former Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo at rookie minicamp, according to Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. He boasted a 89.9% field goal conversion rate from 2019 to 2023, but lost the job in 2024 after going 24 for 35 (73.5%) to start the season. Koo appeared in one game for the Falcons and five for the Giants, making six of his nine field goals and just two of five from beyond 40 yards.
He could still offer some competition to Charlie Smyth, who took over as the team’s kicker midway through last season. He converted 12 of his 16 field goal attempts and all 13 of his extra points, a solid performance for the Northern Ireland native in his first regular-season action.
2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
May 1 marked the deadline for teams to decide on fifth-year options on 2023 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:
- Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
- One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
- Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th top salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
- Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position
PFR’s Offseason Outlook series examined each of these decisions in-depth. Twenty-two options were exercised this year. Here is how each team with an option decision proceeded with 2023 first-round contracts:
- QB Bryce Young, Panthers ($25.9MM): Exercised
- QB C.J. Stroud, Texans ($25.9MM): Exercised
- DE Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($21.51MM): Exercised
- QB Anthony Richardson, Colts ($22.48MM): Declined
- CB Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks ($21.16MM): Exercised
- LT Paris Johnson Jr., Cardinals ($19.07MM): Exercised
- DE Tyree Wilson, Saints ($14.48MM): Declined
- RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($11.32MM): Exercised
- DT Jalen Carter, Eagles ($27.13MM): Exercised
- RT Darnell Wright, Bears ($19.07MM): Exercised
- G Peter Skoronski, Titans ($19.07MM): Exercised
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions ($14.29MM): Exercised
- LB Lukas Van Ness, Packers ($13.75MM): Exercised
- LT Broderick Jones, Steelers ($19.07MM): Declined
- DE Will McDonald, Jets ($13.75MM): Exercised
- CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rams ($12.63MM): Declined
- CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($18.12MM): Exercised
- LB Jack Campbell, Lions ($21.93MM): Declined
- DL Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers ($14.48MM): Exercised
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($23.85MM): Exercised
- WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers ($18MM): Exercised
- WR Zay Flowers, Ravens ($27.3MM): Exercised
- WR Jordan Addison, Vikings ($18MM): Exercised
- CB Deonte Banks, Giants ($12.63MM): Declined
- TE Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($8.16MM): Exercised
- DT Mazi Smith, Jets ($13.93MM): Declined
- RT Anton Harrison, Jaguars ($19.07MM): Exercised
- DE Myles Murphy, Bengals ($14.48MM): Declined
- DT Bryan Bresee, Saints ($13.93MM): Exercised
- LB Nolan Smith, Eagles ($13.75MM): Exercised
- DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs ($14.48MM): Declined