The Atlanta Falcons have settled on their Week 1 quarterback, and the job belongs to Tua Tagovailoa.
The team announced Monday morning that Tagovailoa will start against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium to open the season. Atlanta signed him to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum, then let him compete with Michael Penix Jr. through training camp before making the call.
Tagovailoa arrives in Atlanta with a long NFL resume. Over six seasons with the Miami Dolphins, he has thrown for 18,166 yards, 120 touchdowns and 59 interceptions.
His career had looked promising early in Miami, but it changed after he sustained multiple serious concussions. Tua lost his job late in the 2025 season and was released back in March.
The Falcons did not say whether this decision applies beyond Week 1, so the broader picture is still murky. What is clear is that Atlanta is opening with Tagovailoa under center.
That leaves Penix in an uncertain spot. He was just cleared for contact about two weeks ago, and his NFL track record is still short: 2,757 passing yards, 12 passing touchdowns and 6 interceptions in 14 career games, including 12 starts. His first season as a starter in 2025 was uneven, though he was playing great against the eventual NFC South-champion Carolina Panthers in Week 11 before tearing his ACL.
The opener also puts Atlanta right into a difficult matchup on the road, with the Steelers waiting and four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers set to be on the other side. For now, though, the Falcons have made their choice, and it’s Tagovailoa who gets the first snap of the season.
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Falcons Still Have One Roster Debate Fans Cant Ignore
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