The biggest mystery of Week 2 of the 2024 preseason comes from the Falcons’ unexpected decision not to have rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. play in Baltimore on Saturday.

Falcons coach Raheem Morris made a statement after the game: You’ve seen enough of him.

Enough for what?

With Kirk Cousins, who turned 36 today, set to start for one, two, or three years (theoretically), Penix will have his best chance at playing time in the preseason.

We some of the possible reasons listed for the decision to take Penix out of the game as it happened. On Monday PFTLiveSimms added one more. Perhaps the Falcons have concerns about Cousins ​​being healthy and ready to play for Week 1, which would mean they would need to have Penix healthy and ready to play.

It’s also possible that JJ McCarthy’s injury rattled the Falcons. Or maybe they didn’t want players, media, fans and/or owner Arthur Blank to push for Penix to play right away.

Or maybe, just maybe, they’ve already decided to let Penix play right away. That would be crazy, right? Only slightly crazier than using the eighth overall pick on a quarterback after signing Cousins ​​to a contract that’s practically $100 million guaranteed.

Whatever the truth, there’s no point in keeping Penix from playing in the preseason if he’s not going to get one in the 2024 regular season. So, you know, maybe he will.