The Falcons’ quarterback picture is already messy, and Tua Tagovailoa’s future in Atlanta may hinge on one simple decision: whether he gets benched.
Atlanta heads into the 2026 NFL season with uncertainty all over the depth chart under center. Michael Penix Jr. is still banged up and not 100%, Tagovailoa recently dealt with an oblique injury in practice, and Cooper Rush - normally the third-string quarterback - could wind up starting in Week 1. Jack Strand, described as more of a project, might even see real snaps early in the season.
Against that backdrop, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk says the Falcons have a “strong” chance of moving on from Tagovailoa if the team makes one move.
“Sources close to me said Tua gets benched, that's it for Tua in Atlanta,” Florio said. “I'm not saying it's definitely going to happen. It's a strong possibility when he gets benched.”
That kind of outcome would not come as a shock. Tagovailoa is on a veteran minimum deal, which gives Atlanta plenty of flexibility if it decides to cut him loose.
For now, though, he remains the starter. His oblique injury could change that, but even if he isn’t the Week 1 quarterback, he should still keep his roster spot in the short term.
The bigger issue comes once Penix is healthy. At that point, Atlanta would have little reason to carry Tagovailoa, who would drop into the backup role. And given how he has looked during preseason and training camp, the Falcons may be perfectly willing to go with Penix, Rush and Strand instead.
The key, as Florio framed it, is a healthy Penix. If Penix gets back and forces Tagovailoa to the bench, Atlanta could decide the former Miami Dolphins quarterback is the odd man out. Holding four quarterbacks would not make much sense if Penix is ready to go, and that leaves Tagovailoa’s place on the roster looking awfully fragile.
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