(@PewterReport) January 31, 2024 Would Michael Penix Jr. To The Bucs Make Sense? 
Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. – Photo by: USA Today A reunion between Michael Penix Jr. and the city of Tampa would certainly generate a lot of buzz, but is it possible? Let’s be honest, the situation with the Bucs offense was quite murky up until Friday morning. It finally seems like the Bucs have found their offensive coordinator as they are working on hiring former Kentucky and Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen. Because Coen was with the Rams in 2022, it does seem to make it a little easier to re-sign Baker Mayfield given that he’s played with Coen before and his offense is similar to what Dave Canales was running. Yet what if another team, such as the Falcons or Vikings, overpays just to get Mayfield on their roster? There is no guarantee that he’s returning, as much as he loves Tampa. Until all of this is settled, the possibility of Mayfield coming back to the Bucs is still up in the air. That opens the door for Penix, the left-handed quarterback, who was just voted the top QB on the National Team at the Senior Bowl, to be on the Bucs’ radar. And even if Mayfield is re-signed in free agency, the Bucs could draft Penix and allow him a few seasons to develop like Jordan Love did behind Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. The environment of having a new-look offense to work with such, as the Bucs’ situation, doesn’t appeal to everyone. But Michael Penix Jr. believes he can thrive in it. 
Michael Penix Jr. Senior Bowl – photo by: USA Today “I don’t really see too many offenses being difficult to pick up,” Penix Jr. said. “It’s about the way you prepare and the amount of studying that you do. If you’re willing to put in the extra work to be able to be successful, you’ll do it and it’ll come easy, especially with those guys coaching. They make sure you’re prepared to the level to where it’s hard for you to fail. As long as you’re prepared and you just trust the coaching, I feel like you’ll be fine.” Depending on who you ask or which draft website you visit, Penix is viewed anywhere from being a first-round to a third-round pick in the draft. He had a great senior season for the Huskies that was capped off with a fantastic college football playoff win against Texas, throwing to three NFL-caliber receivers in Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan. But the loss to Michigan in the national championship game pointed out some of his flaws. Penix actually had a bit of an inconsistent week at the Senior Bowl, which continues to make his draft status fluctuate. The Bucs can’t afford to take him in the first round as they have other needs, but if he’s available in rounds two or three, he could be a target if the Mayfield situation doesn’t work out. Penix has a strong arm and good accuracy that many teams would love to have at quarterback. But there is also concern about his injury history with two knee injuries and two shoulder injuries, and his ability to handle pressure in the pocket. Michael Penix Jr. Has Overcome Plenty Of AdversityBattling a ton of adversity, Michael Penix Jr. tore his ACL on two separate occasions at Indiana in 2018 and again in 2020. He transferred to Washington in December of 2021 and revived his career. Penix burst onto the scene with the Huskies in the 2022 season, passing for 4,641 yards with 31 touchdowns and only eight interceptions.
Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. – Photo by: USA Today He followed that up with an better year in 2023 that put him as a highly touted college football player. He improved as a senior, completing 65.4% of his passes for 4,903 yards with 36 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions, and was a Heisman Trophy finalist. Penix and Washington won the final Pac-12 championship and the Sugar Bowl in the college football playoffs before a disappointing end in the national championship game. Penix has battled quite a bit of adversity in his college football journey, but is ready to forge ahead to a successful pro career. “That’s why I always say I don’t take back anything that I’ve been through,” Michael Penix Jr. said. “I’ve been through a lot of injuries, it was tough at times, but I do feel like it all prepared me and built me into the person and the player I am today because being through that much adversity, especially at a young age, it taught me a lot. It taught me patience, it taught me love for the game, how much I love the game. In those times it can get tough, but I knew I was never going to hang the cleats up and I’m going to continue to keep going.” Penix would love to keep his successful career going in a place that he knows better than most. The question is if Penix and Tampa are a good match. That’s for Bucs general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles to decide. The post Michael Penix Jr.: Tampa “Means Everything” appeared first on Pewter Report. https://www.pewterreport.com/michael-pe ... verything/
