Falcons S Justin Simmons makes something clear about Michael Penix Jr ahead of 2025 NFL season

The Atlanta Falcons are in an excellent position to make a push in the NFC South for the 2025 NFL season, and many are betting on the talent of Michael Penix Jr. to make it happen. Justin Simmons, one of the most consistent players on the team, has full confidence in what the QB can bring to the squad as the season approaches.

During an appearance on Up & Adams, the former Denver Broncos safety shared his first impressions of the training sessions alongside the QB, who has a strong chance of becoming the starter for Raheem Morris’ team starting Week 1.

“Training camp. It was my third day of practice, literally third day being there,” Simmons said. “He was running the second-team reps and going up against the second-team defense, and he had this no-look throw down the sideline right into — it was the craziest throw I think I’ve ever seen in person. I was like, ‘oh, whatever it is, he has it.’ So, I’m excited to see what he does.”

Kirk Cousins‘ imminent departure to another franchise opens the door for the former Washington Huskies player to take charge of a Falcons team that aims to be a contender for what’s ahead.

Justin Simmons #31 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates his interception against the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth quarter of their game at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Falcons defeated the Raiders 15-9.

Simmons’ future in the NFL

Simmons‘ presence for the upcoming season wearing a Falcons uniform remains uncertain, and finding a resolution regarding his future as soon as possible is something the player himself made clear to the media.

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“That’s always the goal,” the safety said on Up & Adams in regards to finding a fit earlier than in 2024. “I think, yes, there’s pros and cons to training camp. Cons is going through it, your body breaking down, the whole nine, especially as you get older. But a lot of the pros is building that rapport, especially when you’re not with the team and you haven’t necessarily played with a lot of those guys. I think it would have benefited me to go a little bit earlier. But it also just wasn’t in the cards. … We’ll see. We’ll see. I want to go to the best situation, and I want to go a team that’s gonna win. So, we’ll see what that looks like.”

The firing of Jimmy Lake as defensive coordinator clearly signals a time of change within the franchise, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. On this, the former Broncos player reflected on what might lie ahead for his role on the team in the near future.

“At the end of the day, I think highly of Ra (coach Raheem Morris) and (general manager) Terry (Fontenot) and (owner) Arthur (Blank), and I think the organization is top notch,” Simmons said. “I do think they’re gonna be great. … It was a one-year thing. They like their younger guys, too. Sometimes, things don’t work out and you go in different directions. I don’t know if the door’s necessarily closed, but we’ll see.”