Falcons name Tua Tagovailoa starting quarterback over Michael Penix Jr.

The Atlanta Falcons officially named the former Miami Dolphins passer as their Week 1 starting quarterback vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers, putting a bow on the final quarterback battle heading into the 2026 season.

The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to a one-year deal this offseason after the passer was released from the Dolphins, with Miami eating a record dead-cap hit in order to move on from the 2020 first-round pick.

To that end, Tagovailoa winning the starting job isn't a major surprise considering the health of 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. Penix spent the majority of training camp waiting to be cleared after a knee injury he suffered in 2025, the fourth major knee injury of his football career.

Penix finally joined training camp as a full participant on Wednesday Aug. 26, days before the Falcons' final preseason game. Head coach Kevin Stefanski opted to keep Penix out of that game, citing the quick turnaround.

According to NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport, Penix will be inactive for Week 1, with Cooper Rush taking the backup role behind Tagovailoa.

Tagovailoa enters a situation where he is once again surrounded by playmakers, including running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London. It…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/