The Falcons are heading into Friday night with their quarterback picture still unresolved, and Tua Tagovailoa is getting the next chance to make his case.
Atlanta will start Tagovailoa in its preseason game against the Miami Dolphins, his former team, according to Ari Meirov. Michael Penix Jr. will not play, and the Falcons still have not picked their Week 1 starter. That leaves Tagovailoa with a clear runway to try to separate himself in the battle.
It’s a notable spot for him. Tagovailoa has not looked settled since arriving in Atlanta, and he still hasn’t pulled away from the competition. The matchup with Miami adds an obvious layer of attention, but the Falcons’ real concern is simpler: can he run the offense cleanly and stay away from the kind of mistakes that can tilt a quarterback race?
Penix sitting out does not mean the job is Tagovailoa’s. Atlanta could still hand the starting nod to Penix even if he doesn’t take another preseason snap. If Tagovailoa turns in another rough outing, that path would remain wide open.
There have also been encouraging signs around Penix. Falcons offensive coordinator Tommy Rees recently pointed to the energy around the quarterback’s return to practice.
“A lot of joy for Penix to be out there yesterday, and a lot of joy from his teammates,” Rees said. ESPN’s Marc Raimondi reported that Rees noticed a renewed spark from Penix and the group around him when he came back.
“I could not be more pleased with the work that he’s put in and where he’s at mentally,” Rees added.
So Friday belongs to Tagovailoa, and the stakes are plain. A sharp performance against Miami could strengthen Atlanta’s confidence in him as the Week 1 starter.
Another uneven night could leave Penix in position to win the job without needing to take the field again. The Falcons may not make the call right away, but this one could go a long way toward making it for them.
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