Just when you thought you’d seen it all when it comes to practice drills on a football field, the Atlanta Falcons decide to put their quarterbacks through a warm-up exercise that one would assume is reserved for ballerinas or cartoon characters.
The Falcons welcome the Carolina Panthers to town on Sunday for their home opener, and during practice on Wednesday, the squad’s trio of quarterbacks showed off the spring in their steps. Literally.
In the video shared across social media, Michael Penix Jr., Cooper Rush, and Jack Strand each take a snap and proceed to take a dropback. The dropbacks, however, aren’t exactly typical; instead, the signal callers hop backwards with elongated strides.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (13) runs through a drill during the Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons joint training camp practice on August 20, 2026 at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Penix and Strand appeared to have bought into the drill a bit more than Rush, as they are seen hopping around like rabbits. Rush, who was QB1 for the Falcons’ in their season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, was going through the motions, and you can’t really blame him for doing so.
Cooper Rush #13 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
In typical fashion, NFL fans had a field day in poking fun at the clip showing the quarterbacks going through the unique drill.
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Tua Tagovailoa wasn’t a participant during Wednesday’s practice in Atlanta as the quarterback continues to deal with an oblique injury. After seeing what the coaching staff put his fellow quarterbacks through on Wednesday, he may be thankful for not being out there.
The Falcons were able to be competitive against the Steelers in Week 1 thanks to Bijan Robinson accounting for 173 yards of total offense, but the quarterback situation leaves much to be desired.
Cooper Rush #13 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
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Rush finished the contest in Pittsburgh going 12-for-22 in the air for 143 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
Penix, who played in nine games for the Falcons a season ago, did not take a snap against the Steelers and has been limited at practice after undergoing surgery last fall to repair a partially torn ACL.
If there is one bright spot from the humiliating warm-up drill, it’s that Penix’s knee looked to be in great shape.
