Jack Strand’s preseason surge has turned the Falcons’ quarterback conversation into something much bigger than a feel-good August story.
After his second preseason game against the Colts, Strand put together a line that demands attention: 239 yards of offense, a couple of touchdowns and no turnovers. He looked the part physically, too, and the tape through the first two preseason games has only strengthened the case that he belongs on the Falcons’ 53-man roster.
Still, Kevin Stefanski isn’t ready to hand him the top job. Stefanski said Monday that Strand will keep working with the 2s and 3s.
Stefanski: At this point, Jack will work with the 2s and 3s. We're very excited about his development. #Falcons
- Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) August 24, 2026
That kind of caution makes sense after one preseason start, even if the reaction around him has been easy to understand. Falcons fans have spent years waiting for competent quarterback play after Matt Ryan left, and even in August, this kind of showing under center has been rare.
Strand’s appeal goes beyond the stat sheet. He’s listed at 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, moves well, and has the kind of arm strength that jumps off the screen.
On Saturday, that arm was also accurate down the field. It doesn’t make him a finished product, but it gives him a real foundation to build on.
At minimum, he has earned more evaluation. And with the possibility that another team could take a shot at him if he lands on the practice squad, the Falcons have a decision to make.
The bigger quarterback battle, though, is still the one at the top. Michael Penix Jr. has finally been cleared for 11-on-11 work, and he and Tagovailoa will split reps with the starting offense.
Stefanski: Tua and Penix will split reps with the 1s at practice today. #Falcons
- Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) August 24, 2026
Atlanta is one of the few teams that still hasn’t named a starter for Week 1, and Tagovailoa’s play while Penix was out has been a major reason why. He had the chance to seize the job, and instead Penix appears to have taken it by default.
The Falcons should have their answer by the end of the week. They close the preseason Friday against the Dolphins, and the starters are expected to see plenty of snaps. Stefanski stopped short of saying Penix will play, but if he doesn’t, it’s tough to picture him being ready to start when Atlanta heads to Pittsburgh in three weeks.
In Other News...
Falcons Sideline Moment Put James Pearce Jr. Back In Spotlight
James Pearce Jr. has spent most of this summer under an unwanted spotlight, and the Falcons pass rusher found himself back in it during a recent preseason game. Even while serving an eight-game suspension beginning Aug. 30 for violating the NFLs Personal Conduct Policy after a February domestic dispute and related felony charges, he remains allowed to take part in preseason practices and games, keeping him around the team while his regular-season future waits in the background.
During the broadcast, Pearce was seen heading into a sideline medical tent with an empty jug and later emerging with it partially filled, a brief and awkward moment that quickly drew attention online. For Atlanta, it was another reminder that one of its most talked-about young defenders is still part of the conversation for reasons that have little to do with football, even as the team tries to move toward the season with the suspension looming. [Read more 🡒]
Jack Strand Is Suddenly Making The Falcons Bet Look Very Real
Jack Strand is giving the Falcons an early return on a decision that looked risky when they passed on drafting a quarterback and instead brought in the undrafted rookie from Minnesota State-Morehead. Working with Kevin Stefanski, Strand has turned a quiet summer into a legitimate conversation, and his preseason progress has started to make Atlantas approach look far more intentional than improvisational.
His most eye-catching moment came against the Colts, when he completed 12 of 17 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns. It is still early, but Strand has shown enough command and production to make the Falcons feel like they may have found more than just a camp arm, and the next step will be seeing whether that progress keeps holding up once the pressure rises. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Bubble Players Just Made Final Roster Cuts A Lot Harder
The Falcons 34-6 win over the Colts in their second preseason game did more than pad the scoreboard. It gave several players on the roster bubble a timely chance to stand out, and they took advantage of it with performances that should at least make the front office pause before the final cuts arrive.
Vinny Anthony II, Malcolm DeWalt IV, JD Bertrand, Keshawn Banks and Michael Jerrell all found ways to help their case, whether through steady play or noticeable impact in a game that tilted heavily Atlantas way. For a team still sorting out the back end of the roster and practice squad, those kinds of reps can carry real weight, especially when the evaluation board is getting thinner by the day. [Read more 🡒]