Atlanta Falcons Choose Tua Tagovailoa as Starting Quarterback
The Atlanta Falcons have made a decision regarding their quarterback for Week 1. Tua Tagovailoa will take the starting position as Michael Penix Jr. recovers from a partially torn ACL suffered in Week 11 of last season against the Carolina Panthers. The Falcons are cautious about Penix’s return, opting to start Tagovailoa instead.
Tua Tagovailoa, during an NFL training camp practice, is seen preparing for his new role in Flowery Branch, Georgia. This decision by the Falcons marks Tagovailoa as the sixth different quarterback to start Week 1 for the team. Previously, the starting position saw Matt Ryan in 2021, Marcus Mariota in 2022, Desmond Ridder in 2023, Kirk Cousins in 2024, and Michael Penix Jr. at the start of 2025.
The Falcons experienced substantial changes during the offseason in 2026. They replaced their head coach Raheem Morris with Kevin Stefanski following his departure from the Cleveland Browns. Tagovailoa joined the team after being released by the Miami Dolphins. Stefanski expressed his support for Tagovailoa, emphasizing the quarterback’s resolve to prove his critics wrong. He stated, “You want to prove people wrong. You have a chip on your shoulder… how are we gonna respond? I think that’s what he’s made of.”
Despite Tagovailoa’s injury history, he played at least 16 games during the 2023 season, earning a Pro Bowl selection and leading the Dolphins to a postseason appearance with an 11-6 record. Last season, Tagovailoa managed 2,660 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions over 14 games.
The NFC South division remains unpredictable, highlighted by the Carolina Panthers winning last year with an 8-9 record. Previous years saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints dominating. The Falcons last claimed the division title and reached the Super Bowl in 2016.
The Falcons will kick off their season on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fans and analysts will closely watch how Tagovailoa performs as the new starting quarterback.