Inside the strategy of organizing an NFL locker room

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MICHAEL PENIX JR. knew early on. It was last spring during voluntary organized team activities. The rookie quarterback had just gotten his locker assignment at the Atlanta Falcons facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

Directly to Penix's right was veteran safety Jessie Bates III, an All-Pro who takes notes on two different iPads during film study.

Penix was the Falcons' backup quarterback in 2024 and typically, in practice, would go up against the first-team defense, led by Bates. In one 11-on-11 period last spring, Penix saw Bates break on one of his passes even before the wide receiver.

After practice, while both were changing at their lockers, Penix leaned in and asked…