Raheem Morris fires back as Michael Penix Jr.'s coaching remarks trigger unexpected debate

Michael Penix Jr. , the rookie quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons , became the center of an online conversation on Wednesday after a simple answer in his midweek press conference was taken the wrong way. He was asked where he goes for advice, and he mentioned his fiancée and his quarterback coaches back home. Some fans online claimed this meant he was not getting help from the Falcons staff, even though he never suggested that.

On Friday in Atlanta, head coach Raheem Morris stepped forward to defend Michael Penix Jr. and shut down the idea that the rookie was criticizing his coaching staff. Morris spoke before Sunday’s home game against the Carolina Panthers and called the online reaction “overblown” and unfair. His comments made it clear he did not want the rookie dealing with a story that he believes was created out of nothing.

Raheem Morris defends Michael Penix Jr. and says the reaction was “a joke”

During his Friday press conference, Raheem Morris spoke strongly about the way people reacted to Michael Penix Jr.’s comments.

He told reporters, through Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com, that the whole situation was “a joke.” Morris said people were trying to stretch a harmless clip into something that it was never meant to be.



He added, “Stop looking for stuff on a young man. You don’t need this stuff on him.” He also said he felt bad that Penix had to answer for something that was “not real.”

When reporters asked Michael Penix Jr. if he wanted to explain his comments again, he declined and said everyone inside the building already knows the truth.

Morris backed that up by naming everyone who works closely with the rookie every day.

He said Penix has support from offensive coordinator Zac Robinson , quarterbacks coach D.J. Williams , passing game coordinator T.J. Yates, senior offensive assistant Ken Zampese, and veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins , who serves as the team’s No. 2 quarterback.

D.J. Williams also spoke on Friday and said he talks to the quarterbacks more than he talks to his own children.

Also Read: Bad Bunny’s Huge Latin Grammy Win Now Puts Massive Pressure And Hype On His 2025 Super Bowl Stage

He said he never brought up the comments with Penix because they were never seen as a problem inside the team.

The Falcons head into Sunday’s game with a 3-6 record after a season full of ups and downs.

They have strong wins over the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills but bad losses to the Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins. Another loss to Carolina on Sunday would drop Atlanta to 3-7 and make their playoff chances even harder.