Tua Tagovailoa is set to don the No. 1 jersey for the Atlanta Falcons in the 2026 NFL season, but the real question is whether he can claim the top spot on the quarterback depth chart. Atlanta brought Tagovailoa on board earlier this month to compete with Michael Penix Jr., adding an intriguing dynamic to their quarterback situation.
Tagovailoa kept his signature No. 1, thanks to the Falcons releasing wide receiver Darnell Mooney on March 9. Mooney, who had worn the number for the past two seasons, quickly found a new home with the New York Giants.
Tagovailoa's journey with the No. 1 jersey is quite the story. At Alabama, he sported No. 13, the same number he wore during his high school days in Honolulu.
However, upon entering the NFL with the Miami Dolphins as the fifth pick in the 2020 draft, he had to switch numbers since Miami had retired No. 13 to honor the legendary Dan Marino. Marino, a Hall of Famer, left an indelible mark on the league with his passing prowess.
Tagovailoa chose No. 1 as a nod to the "audience of one" philosophy, which emphasizes playing for divine approval rather than human accolades. This number has a rich history with the Falcons, having been worn by a mix of kickers, quarterbacks, and other positions, including Jeff George and Marcus Mariota.
The Dolphins' decision to release Tagovailoa came after a challenging period marked by inconsistent play and team changes. Despite having two years left on a hefty $212.4 million contract, Miami decided to move on, leaving them on the hook for a significant payout in 2026.
Before the Dolphins made the release official, Tagovailoa had already secured a one-year deal with the Falcons. His tenure in Miami saw him as the starting quarterback from the middle of his rookie season until late 2025, when he was benched.
Meanwhile, Michael Penix Jr. had a promising run, starting the end of the 2024 season and much of 2025 before an injury sidelined him. Veteran Kirk Cousins stepped in to finish the season, but he was released by Atlanta on March 11.
As the Falcons gear up for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on the quarterback competition, with Tagovailoa aiming to make his mark and lead Atlanta's offense.