Tua Tagovailoa has found a new home after his release from the Miami Dolphins, but there is no guarantee that he’ll be under center for the Atlanta Falcons by Week 1 of the 2026 season.
The biggest obstacle between Tagovailoa and a QB1 role in Atlanta is Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta’s only QB holdover from 2025.
The good news for Tagovailoa is that he will have a chance in training camp to prove that he’s the QB option for the Falcons over Penix.
The former Alabama Crimson Tide star signal-caller welcomes that challenge, as he ventures into a new chapter in his football career.
“I don’t think the mindset changes at all. Doesn’t change, Tagovailoa said, via Nick Shook of NFL.com.
“You either love competition, you’re a competitor or you’re not. You don’t just go from being a competitor to let me just relax a little bit. I just don’t think that’s how it works. You’re either a competitor or you’re not. So I embrace the competition. I’m excited to work alongside, with Mike, and I’m excited to work with the team, with the guys, and I think it’s gonna be fun this year.”
Tagovailoa isn’t viewed by Atlanta as a franchise savior, but he brings experience and depth at the most important position in football. The Falcons are still not entirely sold on Penix, and if anything, Tagovailoa gives the 2024 first-rounder another reason to stay on his toes.
But while Tagovailoa’s arrival in Atlanta establishes him as a threat to take the QB1 gig, it is a job that is still for Penix to lose.
During his final season with the Dolphins in 2025, Tagovailoa passed for 2,660 yards and 20 touchdowns against 15 interceptions, while completing 67.7% of his throws across 14 games.
