Tua Tagovailoa has given social media a new favorite moment, and it has nothing to do with what happened between the lines.
A screenshot making the rounds on X shows Tagovailoa appearing to post a video of himself in a Falcons uniform on Instagram, then heading into the comments to reply to himself. The whole thing has turned into a fast-moving internet joke, with fans zeroing in on the idea that he may have forgotten to switch off a secret burner account before chiming in.
The viral slip comes at a time when Tagovailoa’s place in Atlanta is already under a microscope. He signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Falcons in March 2026 after his release from the Miami Dolphins, arriving on a budget-friendly deal because Miami was still responsible for most of his guaranteed money. His addition also created a rare quarterback setup with another left-handed passer, Michael Penix Jr.
But the preseason has not made the picture any clearer for him. Early miscommunications and fumbles slowed his push for the starting job, and when Atlanta cut down to its initial 53-man roster, the team kept four quarterbacks and left the Week 1 starter undecided.
At one point, the job was expected to be Tagovailoa’s to lose. Instead, the momentum shifted.
His camp performances fell short, and a preseason fumble against Miami raised doubts inside the organization. Penix has also continued to move forward in full team drills, and insiders now believe he has the inside track.
Tagovailoa’s final odds, as things stand, depend entirely on Penix’s health.
Tagovailoa’s 2025 regular season with the Dolphins included 14 starts, 2,660 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
In Other News...
Falcons Quarterback Decision Comes With A Game-Day Roster Cost
Several teams came out of cutdown day carrying more quarterbacks than usual, a sign of how much the position can still shape a roster even after the 53-man deadline. The Falcons are in that group, joining teams like the Vikings, Steelers, Eagles and Browns in keeping four or more passers around, a choice that can reflect both caution and optimism when a young arm is still being developed.
For Atlanta, the bigger issue is not just who is in the quarterback room, but what that decision costs elsewhere on game day. Carrying extra depth at the sports most important position can squeeze the rest of the roster, and it leaves the Falcons balancing immediate flexibility against the need to keep enough help available at other spots. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Week 1 QB Call May Come Down To One Concern
The Falcons still have a Week 1 quarterback decision hanging in the balance, with Kevin Stefanski continuing to weigh Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa as camp moves on. ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that the staff wants to see how Penix holds up physically in full practice before making the call, which puts the focus squarely on his readiness as much as his performance.
Penixs health has become the central issue in the competition, and there is at least some belief that he could be the starter if he proves fully healthy. For Atlanta, it is a decision that goes beyond Septembers opener, because the next step depends on whether Penix can handle the demands of practice without any setbacks. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Quarterback Crowd Leaves One Big Week 1 Question
The Falcons are among the clubs that reached the NFLs final roster deadline with four quarterbacks in the room, a sign of how much teams are still willing to carry at the sports most important position heading into the season. Atlanta is not alone in that approach, with Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Minnesota all making similar choices Sunday as clubs balanced depth, development and immediate readiness while the leagues cutdown calendar gave them a little more breathing room than in years past.
Minnesota has already started adjusting its group, releasing Max Brosmer while keeping Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz and J.J. McCarthy in place, and Cleveland also is carrying an unusual setup with three quarterbacks on the active roster plus Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve. For the Falcons, the bigger question now is how long the extra body count lasts and whether the earlier deadline leads to more movement before Week 1, when teams often prefer to settle the position as quickly as possible. [Read more 🡒]