Michael Penix Jr. and Kyle Pitts aren’t just teammates on the Atlanta Falcons, they’re partners in a quiet experiment that could reshape both of their careers. Over the past few months, the quarterback and tight end have discovered an unlikely tool to bond over that being a few rounds of golf.
The two have spent hours on greens around the Atlanta area, swinging clubs and working on focus, patience, and rhythm. It might sound like a distraction from the grind of NFL prep, but both insist it’s translating directly to the field.
“It’s more than just the game,” Pitts said after a recent session. “It’s how we think, how we approach problems together. Golf forces you to stay in the moment, and that’s exactly what we need on Sundays.”
For Penix, who is trying to cement himself as the Falcons’ franchise quarterback, the relationship with Pitts is equally critical. The young tight end’s size, athleticism, and route-running make him a weapon capable of turning drives into highlight reels. However only if the chemistry is there. And that chemistry, both insist, has improved in the off hours.
“It’s about trust,” Penix said. “On the course, you see how someone reacts under pressure. Kyle sees my reads, I see how he adjusts, and we carry that into the game.”
The pairing has the makings of a breakout story. Falcons fans know the team has struggled to consistently connect its quarterback with its best weapons. If Penix and Pitts can carry the golf course rhythm onto the gridiron, it might finally solve one of Atlanta’s biggest offensive puzzles.
While the season is still young, their off-field collaboration is already drawing attention from teammates and coaches. “I see it in practice,” head coach Arthur Smith said. “They’re talking the same language now, and it’s starting to show in how plays develop.”
Whether this partnership can translate into sustained production remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Penix and Pitts have found a formula that’s part friendship, part strategy, and all about unlocking potential. And if the Falcons’ offense hits its stride this year, fans might start looking at the 19th hole as the most important in Atlanta.