The bottom of these quarterback rankings is getting ugly fast, and Atlanta is right in the middle of it. Cooper Rush sits dead last after a rough Week 2 that saw him throw two interceptions against the Carolina Panthers before getting benched for preseason standout Jack Strand. The move didn’t exactly spark things, either - Strand’s first pass after taking over went the other way for a pick-six.
At this point, the Falcons are in full emergency mode at quarterback. The source material even says the situation has reached a “break glass in case of emergency” level, and it’s hard to argue with that after the way this one has gone.
With Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. expected back at some point, Atlanta badly needs one of them available soon. Rush’s time on the roster may not last much longer, and another appearance in these rankings would be a surprise.
Just above him, Malik Willis is giving Miami at least a few flashes to work with. He uncorked a 77-yard touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2, though it came with the Dolphins already buried under a 35-6 deficit late in the fourth quarter. Still, it was his first touchdown throw with Miami, and there were some encouraging signs even with the team clearly in rebuilding mode.
The bigger issue for Miami in Week 2 was how little Willis was used as a runner. He finished with only two carries for six yards, and that’s the part that stands out.
Defenses will do everything they can to limit what he can do on the ground, so the Dolphins need to build more plays around his legs. If they do, there’s a path for Willis to climb from the bottom of this list.
For now, though, he’s still near the basement as Week 2 closes.
In Other News...
Falcons Loss Got Even Worse With One Panthers Hit Now Under Scrutiny
The Falcons 34-3 loss to Carolina already had plenty of ugly moments, but one late sequence added another layer to an afternoon Atlanta would rather forget. Bryce Young carved up the defense for 287 yards and three touchdowns, while Devin Lloyd helped swing the game with two interceptions, a sack and a pick-six, leaving Atlanta buried long before the final whistle.
Trevis Gipson Sr. then drew attention late in the game when he landed on a downed Falcons player, a play that could come under NFL review for possible discipline. Even in a lopsided result, those are the kinds of moments that can linger after the game film is done, and Atlanta may end up hearing more about the hit than it wanted after a rough day on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Fans Have Another Reason To Be Furious About Panthers Loss
The Falcons already had plenty to stew over after a 34-3 loss to the Panthers, a game in which Bryce Young carved up Atlanta for 287 yards and three touchdowns. Devin Lloyd also made life miserable with two interceptions, a sack and a pick-six, leaving the Falcons staring at a lopsided result and another rough day against a division rival.
Then came a late-third-quarter moment that only added to the frustration. Panthers defender Trevis Gipson Sr. came down on a pile with a wrestling-style elbow after the whistle, a sequence that could draw NFL review for possible discipline and gives Atlanta fans one more reason to focus on everything that went wrong in the defeat. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Finally Get The Penix News Fans Have Been Waiting For
Michael Penix Jr. is set to make his long-awaited return as the Falcons starting quarterback in Week 3 against the Packers, a notable shift after Atlanta opened the 2026 season with Cooper Rush and Jack Strand under center. Penixs comeback comes after he recovered from a torn ACL, giving the Falcons a different look at the games most important position just as the schedule starts to settle in.
The timing matters, too, because Penixs presence has already changed the way the matchup is being viewed, with the Falcons odds improving once his return was announced. For a team trying to establish some stability early in the season, getting Penix back is more than a lineup note. It is the kind of development that can alter both expectations and the tone around the next game. [Read more 🡒]