Sharpe Blasts Penix as Falcons Fall to Bengals
Shannon Sharpe said Atlanta should look for a new quarterback after a 34-17 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Football
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Former NFL star Shannon Sharpe criticized Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. on X/Twitter after the Falcons lost 34-17 to the Cincinnati Bengals. Sharpe wrote that the Falcons should be in the market for a quarterback and called Penix the third or fourth best quarterback in a bad division.
Why it matters
The criticism comes as the Falcons sit at 3-6 and Penix's performance against the Bengals, with 162 passing yards and one interception, draws attention to the team's quarterback future. Sharpe's comments also highlight questions about whether Penix can be the franchise quarterback Atlanta is building around.
Penix threw four of his five season interceptions in the Falcons' 16-0 loss to Tampa Bay, and Atlanta allowed 388 yards to Cincinnati, including 155 to Ja'Marr Chase, while committing 12 penalties. Whether the Falcons will look for a new quarterback remains unresolved.
The players
Shannon Sharpe
Shannon Sharpe is a former NFL tight end and Hall of Fame-caliber analyst who has become a prominent sports media personality.
Michael Penix Jr.
Michael Penix Jr. is the Atlanta Falcons quarterback who was drafted to be the franchise's long-term starter.
The details
After the Bengals game, Sharpe shared his thoughts on X while watching the matchup, calling out Penix's arm strength after the quarterback underthrew an open receiver for a touchdown. Sharpe's post suggested the Falcons should consider the quarterback market rather than rely on Penix.
Timeline
Sunday, November 8, 2026: Falcons lose 34-17 to the Bengals and Sharpe posts his criticism.
Last week: Falcons lose 16-0 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
2027: The Falcons could draft a new franchise quarterback.
Season Trajectory
At 3-6, the Falcons' season is drifting toward a rebuild conversation, and Penix's play is now central to whether Atlanta stays the course. Sharpe's comments place the quarterback debate inside a broader pattern in which struggling NFL teams often pivot toward the draft.
Fantasy managers relying on Penix should weigh his recent interception total and the Falcons' 3-6 record when setting lineups. Fans following Atlanta's quarterback situation will be watching whether the team signals a change at the position.
The takeaway
Quarterback decisions in a losing season often hinge on performance trends rather than a single game, so Penix's next several starts will matter more than one bad outing. Watching how Atlanta's coaching staff responds to the criticism will show whether the team is committed to him.
Further reading
For more on the Falcons' season, see Football coverage in Atlanta.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Newsweek.
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