Falcons Quarterback Matt Ryan Suffers Through Frigid Skid
Entering Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, quarterback Matt Ryan is in the midst of a severe slump. He has failed to throw a touchdown pass in his last three starts, a rare feat for someone of his experience. In that span, he has thrown six interceptions, approaching the total of seven he had in the previous nine weeks combined.
Ryan is the first player with 100 or more pass attempts, zero touchdowns, six or more interceptions, and at least one pick-six over a three-game stretch since Brett Favre in 2005. His 15 giveaways pace the NFL, while the Atlanta Falcons falter to a .500 record and a tie for first place in the NFC South with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Despite having multiple opportunities to win the division over the next five games, the Falcons’ struggles may lead to increased scrutiny for Ryan. Rookie quarterback Michael Penix, the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft, has yet to assume the starting role. He has appeared in only two games, completing three of five passes for 38 yards in 20 total snaps, with each of his completions resulting in a first down.
Penix offers a unique advantage over Ryan, a downfield threat. However, the Falcons are not yet ready to make a change, citing Penix’s lack of experience. The team believes that Penix will develop into the quarterback of the future, but he will not be ready to take over until next season, when Ryan will be in the final year of his guaranteed salary in Atlanta. As one source reported, “Michael Penix has really impressed [the team]. They drafted him to be the quarterback of the future. That is just not now, and they do not believe this should be a discussion.”
