The Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. made headlines with his assessment of NFL quarterback speed rankings.
Penix told Madden 26 interviewers that only one quarterback in the league can outrun him in the open field.
“Lamar,” he said without hesitation. “I think it’s just Lamar.”
The former Washington star didn’t hold back when discussing his speed compared to other NFL quarterbacks. He sees himself as second only to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
It’s a statement that might surprise fans who remember Penix primarily for his precision passing at the college level.
But those who followed his career at Indiana and Washington know better. Penix consistently extended plays with his mobility. He made defenses pay when they lost contain. That same explosiveness has already caught attention during Falcons training camp.
Penix received an 84 speed rating in this year’s Madden edition. He joins a long list of players who’ve questioned how the video game rates athleticism.
The quarterback didn’t run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. However, he posted a sub-4.6 time at his Pro Day.
That speed is remarkable for any quarterback. It’s even more impressive considering Penix tore his ACL twice during his college career.
The Falcons coaching staff has positioned Penix as their quarterback of the future. Now he’s making it clear that his mobility matches his arm talent.
“Whether the Madden team agrees is one thing. Whether defenses do is another.”
Penix isn’t just building confidence for game day. He’s making his case on every platform. If that confidence translates to wins, this speed discussion might be just the beginning.
The former Heisman finalist understands that proving his dual-threat ability starts with how he frames the conversation. By putting himself in the same category as Jackson, Penix sets a high bar for his own performance.
