Michael Penix Jr. had an underwhelming performance in the Atlanta Falcons’ 34-17 Week 9 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Penix completed 20 of 31 passes for 162 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, adding 50 rushing yards as the Falcons fell to 3-6 on the season.

After the game, former NFL quarterback Chris Simms leveled blunt advice at Penix amid the Falcons’ offensive struggles.

Chris Simms Delivers Candid Suggestions for Michael Penix Jr.

During Monday’s segment of the “PFT Live” show, Simms urged Penix to add weight, arguing that his slight build may contribute to how he reacts under pressure and contact.

“If I had to give two cents to Michael Penix, I’d go, put a little weight on,” Simms said. “I watched the game yesterday and go, ‘Damn. He looks skinny and frail.’ And sometimes I feel like he plays like that. Like he sees hits coming, and he knows I’m a little skinny and frail, and I’ve been hurt a bunch of times. And it feels like he can duck and chuck it. Or fall away under pressure that way.

“I think with those combinations and the offense not necessarily delivering in those moments too, it’s a stew of like, wait, we see a highlight game, wow, what throws, unbelievable, and then we get a little bit of what you talked about with Jordan Love before, but even in a more drastic way to where it’s now two games in a row where you just go, ‘I mean, damn! They look ugly throwing the ball. What’s going on?’ It’s just been that way for Michael Penix, and it’s been that way for the Falcons’ offense.”

According to ESPN Research, Penix went 1-of-9 for -3 yards and an interception when pressured against the Bengals. The Falcons quarterback has also completed a league-low 18% of his passes when pressured this season, which is the lowest by a qualified passer since ESPN began tracking pressures in 2009.

Since the Falcons selected Penix No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, the former Washington Huskies standout has had a mixed career. He won the Falcons’ starting job toward the end of his rookie season after serving as Kirk Cousins’ backup and kept it for most of the 2025 season before suffering a partially torn ACL and undergoing surgery.

The Falcons signed veteran Tua Tagovailoa during the offseason, giving Atlanta another experienced option while Penix worked his way back from ACL surgery. Penix continued working his way back from ACL surgery through the first two weeks of the season and was ruled out for both games. Cooper Rush started in his place before Penix was cleared to return as Atlanta’s starter in Week 3 against Green Bay.

Last weekend, Penix had the worst game of his NFL career, throwing four interceptions as the Falcons were shut out on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, raising even more questions about his viability as a long-term starter for the franchise.

Penix has amassed 1,444 passing yards on 62.3% completion, 10 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, adding 65 rushing yards for the Falcons this season, earning a PFN QB Impact score of 75.7 (No. 17 in the NFL).