$80M worth Nick Saban shares one reason why Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. has a higher chance to succeed

Nick Saban is convinced that Michael Penix Jr. will succeed in the NFL. The legendary college coach has been around football for decades, and he knows a thing or two about elite quarterback play.

In a post on ESPN College Football, Saban said that Penix has a higher chance of NFL success because he sat behind a seasoned veteran before he inherited the starting job.

"I think there's a lot to be said about guys who learn how to be professionals and have respect for development," Saban said.

While it's still early, the Atlanta Falcons seem to have support from arguably the greatest coach in college football history after surprising the football community by ending the Kirk Cousins era and starting the Michael Penix Jr. one.

Michael Penix Jr. was the eighth pick in the 2024 NFL draft

Michael Penix Jr. was the biggest surprise of the first round of the most recent NFL draft. The Washington Huskies product was viewed as a decent prospect, but few expected him to be off the board in the top 10.

However, the Atlanta Falcons shocked almost every onlooker, as with the eighth pick of the draft, they selected Penix. What made the selection more surprising was that the ink hadn't dried up on Kirk Cousins' four-year, $180 million contract, for which nearly $100 million was guaranteed.

Thus, the Falcons now had a dicey quarterback battle on their hands. They had a perennial Pro Bowler QB competing against a Heisman Trophy finalist and early first-round draft pick. Something had to give before the end of the regular season.

As such, following a startling run of struggles from Cousins, which saw him muster just 18 TDs and an NFL-high 16 interceptions, the Falcons have pulled the plug on the Cousins experience and handed over the keys to the young upstart Penix.

What to expect from Michael Penix Jr.?

Michael Penix Jr. amassed a stat line of 4,903 passing yards, 36 TDs and 11 interceptions in his last collegiate football season. He led the Huskies to the national championship game, where they narrowly lost to the Michigan Wolverines.

Penix showcased his ability to guide his team to hard-fought victories during his time in college (especially in his final season). Furthermore, he was on the 2023 Heisman Trophy podium for a reason after regularly showing his excellence at the collegiate level.

Penix takes over the starting quarterback job at a time when the Falcons are 7-7 but are behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the divisional standings.

His first start will be against the New York Giants, after which he has games versus the Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers. It'll be interesting to see how the Huskies product navigates a tricky situation and potentially guides the Falcons to a playoff berth.