The Falcons’ quarterback situation has turned into one of those camp battles that says as much about the roster as it does about the players in it.
Kevin Stefanski may be gone from the Cleveland Browns, but he’s still watching another messy quarterback competition unfold - this time in Atlanta, where the first-year head coach remains undecided on Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr.
The part that stands out is how little separation Tagovailoa has managed to create. He’s been going up against a quarterback coming back from a major injury, and still hasn’t clearly seized the job. That alone raises the obvious question: what does that mean for his place with the Falcons?
As Florio put it, "One of the primary candidates, Michael Penix Jr., a guy who just was cleared to participate in 11-on-11 drills after his latest ACL tear. What does all of that say about their feelings regarding Tua Tagovailoa?"
Florio asked. "Shouldn't he be the starter by now?
And if he hasn't won the starting job by now, you have to wonder whether or not he'll be on the roster by Monday."
There’s at least some logic to that line of thinking. Atlanta wouldn’t be taking on a huge financial burden if it moved on from Tagovailoa.
But there’s another side to it. Penix hasn’t exactly been impressive when he’s been available, and his injury history is long enough to make anyone pause.
That’s why keeping Tagovailoa around at roughly $1.3 million makes plenty of sense as a safety net, even if he’s not the same player he was a few years ago.
So the Falcons are left with a quarterback decision that still doesn’t have a clean answer. And if Stefanski is feeling a little déjà vu, it’s hard to blame him.
In Other News...
Falcons QB Buzz Just Hit A Reality Check At Camp
Jack Strand has become one of the more interesting side stories at Falcons training camp, a quick rise for an undrafted rookie who has taken advantage of extra work in the absence of Michael Penix Jr. and the uneven play from Tua Tagovailoa. The added reps have given Atlanta a longer look at a quarterback who arrived without much fanfare but has managed to make himself part of the conversation simply by holding his own in a crowded camp setting.
Kevin Stefanski did offer a reality check, though, making clear Strand is not in the current starting quarterback plans even as the team continues to give him practice snaps. Atlanta still appears inclined to lean toward Penix for Week 1, which leaves Strand in a familiar camp lane for an undrafted passer: developmental option, not immediate answer. Still, the fact that he has forced the Falcons to keep him involved at all says plenty about how quickly he has carved out a spot on the roster radar. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Face A Tempting Trade Decision They May Need To Resist
The Bears willingness to listen on Gervon Dexter has created a little buzz around the league, especially for teams that are always monitoring young defensive line help. Jordan Schultz reported that Chicago has had multiple trade discussions involving the 24-year-old tackle, who started all 17 games last season and showed enough pass-rush production to draw attention. For Atlanta, the appeal is obvious on the surface, particularly with general manager Ian Cunninghams Chicago ties giving the idea an easy connective thread.
Still, this is the kind of move the Falcons may need to resist rather than chase. Dexters run defense remains a question, and Atlanta already has to weigh the shape of its defensive tackle group against the cost of adding another player whose contract situation would factor into the equation. A tempting trade target can look cleaner from a distance than it does on the roster sheet, and this one may be better admired from afar. [Read more 🡒]
Cash Jones Just Made Falcons Final Cuts A Lot Tougher
Cash Jones gave the Falcons something useful to think about in Week 2 of the preseason, and not just because the undrafted running back showed up on the stat sheet. He was active as a receiver, added work on the ground, found the end zone and even handled a kick return, which is the kind of all-purpose usage that catches a coaching staffs eye at this stage of August.
Roster math is rarely simple this time of year, especially for a team projected to carry three running backs and five wide receivers. Jones case is that he can help in more than one room, and that versatility can tilt a final decision when the Falcons get down to their 53-man roster. [Read more 🡒]