The Atlanta Falcons were the last team to open training camp for the 2025 NFL season, holding their first official practice on Thursday morning. After backing up Kirk Cousins in 2024, Michael Penix Jr. is going through his first camp as the team's starting quarterback.

The elephant in the quarterback room, though, is that Cousins remains on the roster. Cousins was benched in Week 16 last season after a stretch with nine interceptions and just one touchdown pass in five games. Penix was named the starter "moving forward," which seemingly signaled that Cousins was not long for Atlanta.

ESPN says that the biggest story line heading into the Atlanta Falcons' season is sitting Kirk Cousins behind quarterback Michael Penix Jr.