The Atlanta Falcons have a difficult season ahead, with much expectations from the fans to deliver. The team currently has two prominent quarterbacks in Michael Penix Jr. and newly arrived Tua Tagovailoa. The latter was signed by the franchise on a one-year contract after the Miami Dolphins released him.
It was widely expected that Tagovailoa would be the new starting quarterback due to his veteran experience. But it looks like things have changed in that regard.
Michael Penix Jr. to become starting QB ahead of Tua TagovailoaAccording to ESPN insider Ian Rapoport, Penix has emerged as the favorite to start at quarterback for the Falcons. This is a surprising turn of events, as Tagovailoa was previously thought to be occupying that role. He was brought in to create strong competition with Penix.
Dec 16, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn ImagesThe younger quarterback was absent for much of the offseason, having sustained a torn left ACL in Week 11 of the 2025 season against the Carolina Panthers. It was also thought that Tagovailoa could start games with Penix recovering from his injury.
Rapoport wrote, “It really seemed that the goal of the entire organization was to have Tua be the starting quarterback right away to start the season. Let Michael Penix come along slow. …Really you’d like him to be inactive for the first several games and really just take his time and make sure he’s fully healthy.”
However, Tagovailoa’s inconsistent performances in training camp practices and limited preseason action, including completing just 3 of 5 passes for 22 yards against the Denver Broncos, has caused the franchise to reconsider their plans. Rapoport added, “Tua’s play made that impossible, not just in the preseason game, which we’ve seen, but it sounds like practice as well. All of which is to say, this is Michael Penix’s job for the taking.” Penix’s return to training has also played a huge role in this change of roles.
Michael Penix Jr. rejoins full trainingPenix has now rejoined training, after being medically cleared for full 11-on-11 team drills on August 23, 2026. Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed his return to full training. He is expected to play some minutes in the third preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. Tagovailoa could also perform in that game, which can change things back to original for him. Other than them, rookie Jack Strand is also in the competition and has been putting in some good work.
Stefanski earlier said that the players must compete for each position, “Everything we do around this building is competing. I know it’s easy to say, ‘position battles,’ and those types of things, but we’re constantly competing. That’s not the focus for our guys. Our guys are pushing each other by showing up and putting in the work.”
It remains to be seen whether Michael Penix Jr. will be the starting quarterback for the Falcons at the start of the 2026 season.
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