Falcons Name Tua Tagovailoa Week 1 QB Over Penix Jr. After 9 Starts in 2025
Updated
Updated · Bleacher Report · Sep 7
Falcons Name Tua Tagovailoa Week 1 QB Over Penix Jr. After 9 Starts in 2025
3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Sep 7
Summary
Atlanta will open the 2026 season with Tua Tagovailoa under center against Aaron Rodgers' Steelers on Sept. 13, with Michael Penix Jr. dropping to the No. 2 role.
Tagovailoa won the competition after signing a one-year deal in March, holding off Penix despite a back issue in camp and early preseason struggles.
Penix had started nine Falcons games in 2025, but his bid to keep the job was undercut by a torn ACL that delayed his full return to practice until Aug. 22.
For Tagovailoa, the move offers a reset after Miami released him following a 2025 season with 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Atlanta is now turning to its sixth different Week 1 starting quarterback since 2021 as it tries to end an eight-year playoff drought.