Falcons Acquire Tua Tagovailoa on Bargain Deal

Atlanta avoids $54 million risk by having Dolphins cover most of Tua's contract

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Atlanta Falcons have signed veteran quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a minimum contract, with the Miami Dolphins picking up the majority of his $54 million salary for the 2026 season. This move allows the Falcons to bring in an experienced QB to potentially start while their young starter Michael Penix Jr. recovers from an ACL injury, without taking on significant financial risk.

Why it matters

This is a low-risk, high-reward move for the Falcons, who get a talented veteran quarterback without having to pay his full salary. Tua has struggled at times in Miami, but a change of scenery could revitalize his career, and the Falcons are betting on that potential upside. Meanwhile, the Dolphins were eager to move on from Tua's hefty contract, making this a win-win for both teams.

The details

The Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa to a minimum contract for the 2026 season, with the Dolphins covering almost all of his $54 million salary. This allows Atlanta to bring in an experienced QB to potentially start while their young starter Michael Penix Jr. recovers from an ACL injury. Tua will likely get the majority of first-team reps in the offseason and could start the beginning of the year for the Falcons.

  • Tua Tagovailoa signed with the Falcons on the first day of 2026 NFL free agency.
  • Michael Penix Jr. suffered a season-ending ACL injury in 2025.

The players

Tua Tagovailoa

A veteran quarterback who previously played for the Miami Dolphins.

Michael Penix Jr.

The Falcons' young starting quarterback who is recovering from an ACL injury.

Atlanta Falcons

The NFL team that signed Tua Tagovailoa to a minimum contract.

Miami Dolphins

The NFL team that previously employed Tua Tagovailoa and is covering most of his 2026 salary.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The veteran quarterback heads to Georgia to occupy an interesting role in 2026, one that could begin with him filling the starting job at the start of the season as Michael Penix Jr. works his way back from a season-ending ACL injury.”

— Nick Shook, NFL.com Analyst (NFL.com)

“Atlanta also avoids risk in handing a minimum contract to Tagovailoa, who will make $54 million this season -- almost all of it from the Dolphins.”

— Nick Shook, NFL.com Analyst (NFL.com)

What’s next

The Falcons will monitor Penix Jr.'s recovery during the offseason, and Tua Tagovailoa will likely get the majority of first-team reps. It remains to be seen whether Tua or Penix Jr. will be the Falcons' starting quarterback to begin the 2026 season.

The takeaway

This is a low-risk, high-reward move for the Falcons, who get an experienced quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa without having to pay his full $54 million salary. The Dolphins' willingness to cover most of Tua's contract makes this a win-win situation, as Atlanta can evaluate Tua's potential upside while their young starter recovers from injury.