The Falcons’ quarterback picture just got a lot less fuzzy, and Tua Tagovailoa is the one feeling the squeeze.
For months, Tagovailoa had been treated like the clear favorite to win the job. That talk has cooled fast after a quiet showing in Atlanta’s preseason opener last weekend, and now Michael Penix Jr. is back in the mix after being cleared to return to full contact on Saturday afternoon. Penix will also take part in 11-on-11 work for the first time at Monday’s practice.
That changes everything. What had looked like Tagovailoa’s job to lose is now back to a straight competition, with first-team reps expected to be split until Kevin Stefanski makes an official call. Tagovailoa may still have the edge in reps, but the rest of the board is tilting the other way.
The Falcons have every reason to lean into Penix, especially with him fully healthy. The team signed Tagovailoa on a one-year deal for the league minimum, which is hardly the kind of contract that locks in a starting role.
Penix, meanwhile, still has two years left on his rookie deal, and if he rebounds in 2026, the Falcons can pick up his fifth-year option. If he doesn’t deliver, the next move could be finding another quarterback in 2027.
Stefanski has made it clear since arriving that this staff wants to see what a healthy Penix can do. The former top-10 pick still carries the higher ceiling, and there’s enough belief inside the setup that he can still become a franchise quarterback with better coaching.
Tagovailoa’s camp has not given the Falcons much reason to believe the fit is changing things. Training camp has shown the same problems that followed him from Miami. He has had trouble settling into the offense, the turnovers are still there, and he continues to look like a passer near the bottom of the league.
The Falcons may call it a competition, but the return of Penix has made the direction pretty obvious. Week 1 is still three weeks away, and with Penix cleared and back on the field, there’s little reason not to give him the chance to take the job. Tagovailoa came to Atlanta looking for a reset, but the opportunity he wanted may be slipping away before the season even starts.
In Other News...
Falcons Quarterback Questions Just Pulled Them Into A Trade Rumor
Anthony Richardsons spot in Indianapolis has been a summer-long conversation, and it matters far beyond the Colts building. The quarterback, drafted fourth overall in 2023, has had an uneven preseason while the team keeps evaluating him ahead of final roster cuts, which has only kept the attention on his future. He also asked for a trade earlier this offseason, though nothing materialized, and Colts officials have said they prefer to keep three quarterbacks.
Shane Steichen is giving Richardson one more chance to make his case, announcing that he will start the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions. For teams watching the quarterback market, including Atlanta, that kind of setup is exactly what can keep a rumor alive even when a deal never comes close to happening. The Colts still have decisions to make, and Richardsons next performance only adds another layer to a situation that already feels unsettled. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Pass Rush Suddenly Has An Unexpected Player To Watch
Keshawn Banks has spent August doing exactly what an undrafted rookie needs to do: make the coaches notice. The 2023 free agent has turned in a strong preseason for Atlanta, and Pro Football Focus has graded him as the teams top pass rusher so far, a notable development for a defense trying to sort through injuries and suspensions along the front.
Banks has shown up around the quarterback with multiple hits and hurries, and that kind of activity can matter when roster spots and rotational roles are still up for grabs. With the Falcons looking for any edge they can find in a depleted pass-rush group, his play has made him a name worth tracking as the season approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Michael Penix Jr. Just Raised The Heat In Falcons QB Battle
Michael Penix Jr. took another meaningful step in his comeback Wednesday, getting cleared for full contact and joining 11-on-11 work for the first time since his ACL injury. The Falcons had to like what they saw in the session, too, with Penix completing several passes and connecting with Drake London on a fourth-down throw that stood out in a practice that mattered more than most.
The bigger takeaway was how often Penix worked with the first team, a sign the battle around Atlantas quarterback room is beginning to tilt in his direction. Tua Tagovailoa was on the field in the same session, but he struggled while Penix handled more of the premium reps, adding a layer of pressure to a situation the Falcons will keep watching closely as camp moves on. [Read more 🡒]