The Falcons’ quarterback picture got a little clearer after Friday night, and not in the way Atlanta wanted. While the defense spent the morning adding Za’Darius Smith, the offense kept staring at the same ugly problem: nobody under center looked like the answer.
Atlanta’s preseason opener against Denver was rough across the board, but the quarterback play stood out for all the wrong reasons. Tua Tagovailoa struggled badly in limited work, Cooper Rush was even shakier, and the only passing performance that could be called even serviceable came from undrafted rookie Jack Strand.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski came away encouraged by what he saw from Strand in his first NFL action.
“Always room for improvement, but proud of him for his first time out there... It’s a testament to him and what he was able to do early in camp when he was the one guy standing there.
Like any rookie, (there’s) so much to work on. And that’s the fun part of working with our rookies.
Jack’s got a great attitude. Love how he is in the meeting rooms, love how he is on the grass.”
Strand finished 6/12 for 50 yards with no touchdowns, no interceptions, one sack and a 61.1 passer rating. On most nights, that line wouldn’t turn heads. On this night, it was enough to stand out because it was the cleanest showing Atlanta got at the position.
He did at least move the ball downfield some and avoided turnovers. That mattered, especially with Rush throwing two interceptions and Tagovailoa nearly coughing one up after dropping his second snap for a fumble.
The bigger development, though, may be what this game did for Michael Penix. He still hasn’t been cleared for 11-on-11 work, but the door is wide open for him to grab the QB1 job once he’s healthy. For now, Atlanta’s clearest path looks like Penix at the top of the depth chart as soon as he can go, Tagovailoa behind him, and Strand holding the No. 3 spot.
In Other News...
Tua Tagovailoa Just Put Falcons Fans On Notice For 2026
Tua Tagovailoas latest turn in the spotlight came with a little perspective, as the quarterback looked back on his release from the Dolphins and the advice that helped him handle the moment. The former Alabama star said he drew on guidance from Nick Saban to process the setback, a reminder that even in a league built on quick judgments, some of the best players keep moving by leaning on the lessons that shaped them.
For Falcons fans, the bigger takeaway is what comes next. Atlanta is expected to have a real opening for Tagovailoa in 2026, and the opportunity is there for him to step into a prominent role as the team manages Michael Penix Jr.s recovery from a knee injury. It is the kind of situation that can reshape a quarterbacks career fast, and it gives the Falcons another layer of intrigue heading into the season. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Roster Battle Just Got Real In Joint Practices With Colts
The Falcons are turning quickly from their preseason loss to the Broncos and into a stretch of joint practices with the Colts, a setting that usually tells a little more about the roster than a game in August ever can. For Atlanta, these sessions carry extra weight because they are part of the final ramp-up toward the regular-season opener, and they give the coaching staff a better look at how players handle real competition against someone elses scheme.
Several names have a chance to move themselves up the depth chart over the next few days, with linebacker Josh Woods, wide receiver Vinny Anthony II, offensive lineman Kam Dewberry, safety Jammie Robinson and quarterback Jack Strand among the players trying to make their case. Joint practices tend to sharpen every rep, and for the Falcons that means the conversation is less about who flashed in a preseason setting and more about who can keep stacking good work when the pressure tightens. [Read more 🡒]