The Atlanta Falcons have no shortage of questions heading into the 2026 offseason, but quarterback-at least for now-might not be one of them. With Kirk Cousins expected to be released, all signs point to the Falcons handing the reins to Michael Penix Jr., who finally gets a shot to prove himself in a system tailored to his strengths.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski appears committed to giving Penix a real opportunity, something the rookie never quite had last year. Injuries and a shaky offensive infrastructure didn’t do him any favors, but with a new coaching staff and a more coherent scheme, the former Washington standout is poised for a fresh start.
That said, Atlanta’s quarterback room isn’t set in stone. They’ll likely be active in the offseason market-whether that means bringing in a veteran presence or simply reinforcing the depth chart behind Penix. But one name that’s been floated as a potential target raised more than a few eyebrows: Tua Tagovailoa.
According to a recent report, there's a scenario in which the Falcons pursue the former Dolphins starter as a replacement for Cousins. On paper, it’s a headline-grabbing move.
Tua is a recognizable name, a former top-five pick, and just a few years removed from leading Miami to the playoffs. But when you dig deeper, the fit gets murky.
Tagovailoa’s 2025 season was tough to watch. He threw a career-high 15 interceptions in just 14 starts and was benched midway through the year.
The physical toll of repeated concussions has clearly impacted his game, raising real concerns about his long-term viability as a starter. He’s not the same player he was during his peak stretch in Miami, and it’s fair to wonder whether he ever will be again.
That’s why the idea of Atlanta making a splash for Tua doesn’t quite line up with the direction the franchise seems to be heading. This is a team that’s trying to build around a young quarterback in Penix, not replace him with a player whose ceiling might already be behind him. Stefanski knows the importance of stability at the position-his Cleveland tenure was defined in part by the constant churn under center-and bringing in another high-profile QB could muddy the waters more than it clears them.
There’s also the financial angle. Atlanta has young talent on both sides of the ball that will need to be extended soon.
Taking on a hefty contract for a quarterback with a shaky injury history and declining production doesn’t align with that long-term vision. If Tagovailoa is cut or traded, he’ll likely be looking for a starting opportunity elsewhere-something the Falcons simply can’t offer right now.
Let’s also not overreact to Matt Ryan’s initial comments during GM Ian Cunningham’s introductory press conference. While Ryan didn’t immediately endorse Penix as the unquestioned QB1, he later clarified his position, and Stefanski has been clear about his intent to develop the young signal-caller. There’s no indication that the Falcons are looking to move on from Penix before he’s even had a chance to show what he can do in a real NFL offense.
In truth, the Falcons would be better off targeting a lower-cost veteran to mentor Penix-someone like Joe Flacco, who has experience in Stefanski’s system and has proven he can still step in and win games when needed. Flacco wouldn’t threaten Penix’s role, but he could provide valuable insight, stability, and leadership in the quarterback room-similar to what Cousins offered last season.
As for Tua, a change of scenery might be exactly what he needs. But that destination shouldn’t be Atlanta. The Falcons are trying to build something sustainable, and bringing in a quarterback with as many question marks as Tagovailoa could derail that progress before it even starts.
At the end of the day, the Falcons’ best play is to stay the course with Penix and make smart, low-leverage moves at quarterback. Let the young guy grow.
Let the new staff build around him. And if they need a veteran presence, there are better-and more logical-options than Tua.