The Falcons are planning to keep Tua Tagovailoa on the roster, even after he failed to win the starting job, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport.
That comes after plenty of speculation that Atlanta might move on from him, especially with four quarterbacks currently on the 53-man roster. Tagovailoa had all offseason and training camp to make his case, but his play never separated him from former first-round pick Michael Penix Jr.
Health has been part of the problem, too. Tagovailoa missed the start of training camp with a back injury and hasn’t taken a snap for Atlanta in two weeks after an oblique injury popped up in practice before Week 1.
Schefter and Rapoport reported that, unless another injury changes the picture, Tagovailoa likely already missed his chance. ESPN’s view is that Penix is the Falcons’ preferred starter when healthy, and Atlanta is aiming for a Week 3 debut on Thursday night against the Packers.
There is still a path for Tagovailoa to be active for that game. Schefter and Rapoport also noted the Falcons want to keep him around in case Penix gets hurt, and because Tagovailoa could still rebuild enough value to become a trade candidate before the in-season deadline.
Tagovailoa, 28, entered the league as the No. 5 overall pick out of Alabama in 2020 by the Dolphins. His rookie contract was worth four years and $30,275,438, including a $19,578,501 signing bonus, and he earned a base salary of $1,010,000 in the final year of that deal.
Miami then picked up his fifth-year option, worth $23,171,000 for the 2024 season.
After that, the Dolphins gave him a four-year extension worth up to $212 million, with $167 million guaranteed. Miami released Tagovailoa this offseason, and he later signed a one-year deal with the Falcons.
In 2025, Tagovailoa played 14 games for the Dolphins and completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
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Falcons QB Mess Could Create A Surprising Week 2 Red Zone Role
The Falcons quarterback situation has already forced the team into an unusual Week 2 setup, with Cooper Rush expected to start because of injuries to Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa. It is the kind of shuffle that can change how an offense operates near the goal line, especially when a coaching staff is trying to protect a patchwork depth chart and find any edge in tight spaces.
One intriguing wrinkle is the idea that backup Jack Strand could be worked into short-yardage snaps as a sneak option. ESPNs Ben Solak floated the possibility that Strands size could make him a natural fit for that kind of specialist job, which would give Atlanta a very different red zone look if the Falcons decide to get creative. It is still just a projection, not a confirmed plan, but it is the sort of detail that makes this quarterback situation worth watching beyond the obvious starter question. [Read more 🡒]
Bijan Robinson Could Own Falcons Home Opener For One Big Reason
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The matchup only adds to the intrigue. Carolinas run defense struggled badly in its opener, giving up nearly 300 rushing yards, which gives Atlanta a clear path to keep feeding Robinson if the game unfolds the way the Falcons want. If Atlanta can control the line of scrimmage early, Robinson could be set up for another featured role in front of the home crowd. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Need Nick Folk To Steady One Early Concern Fast
Nick Folks first Sunday in a Falcons uniform came with a mixed bag, and for a team that left Pittsburgh with plenty to sort through, the kicking game jumped out early. In Week 1 against the Steelers, Folk missed two field goals to open the game, an unusual start for a veteran brought in to provide stability, before settling in and drilling two long-range kicks later on. Special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman called the misses uncharacteristic and said Folk kept his confidence intact, which at least gives Atlanta reason to believe the rough opening was more blip than trend.
Still, the Falcons do not have much room to let an early concern linger, especially with another division matchup coming against the Carolina Panthers. In a season where every point matters and special teams can swing close games, Atlanta needs Folk to look like the steady presence the club expected when it trusted him with the job. The next chance arrives quickly, and the Falcons will be watching closely to see whether the first-half hiccups are put behind them just as fast. [Read more 🡒]