Tua Tagovailoa to compete for Falcons' starting QB job

GM says Tagovailoa and injured incumbent Michael Penix Jr. will both have a chance to win the job

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:51pm

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The Atlanta Falcons have signed former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and general manager Ian Cunningham says Tagovailoa will have an opportunity to compete for the starting job. Incumbent starter Michael Penix Jr. is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in November 2025, and is expected to miss the start of the 2026 season.

Why it matters

The Falcons are looking to solidify their quarterback position after releasing veteran Kirk Cousins. Tagovailoa, a former first-round pick, will get a chance to revive his career in Atlanta, while Penix looks to build on a promising 2025 season once he recovers from injury.

The details

Cunningham said he spoke with Penix's agent before signing Tagovailoa, and new head coach Kevin Stefanski also talked to Tagovailoa personally. Penix threw for 1,982 yards, 9 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in 2025 before suffering the season-ending ACL tear. Tagovailoa is coming off an up-and-down six-year stint with the Dolphins, where he signed a $212.4 million extension after leading the league in passing yards in 2023, but then struggled with injuries and inconsistent play the following two seasons.

  • Penix suffered a torn ACL in November 2025.
  • Penix is expected to be sidelined through the start of the 2026 season.

The players

Tua Tagovailoa

A former first-round pick who signed with the Falcons after being released by the Miami Dolphins, where he had an up-and-down six-year career.

Michael Penix Jr.

The Falcons' incumbent starting quarterback, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in November 2025 and is expected to miss the start of the 2026 season.

Ian Cunningham

The general manager of the Atlanta Falcons.

Kevin Stefanski

The new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

Kirk Cousins

The Falcons' previous starting quarterback, who was released this week.

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What they’re saying

“For Tua coming in here, he knows he's coming in to compete, just like Michael knows he's coming in to compete. Quite frankly, not just those two at the quarterback position, but everybody's coming in to compete.”

— Ian Cunningham, General Manager, Atlanta Falcons

“You don't want to blindside somebody. We want to have open conversations and communication, and we feel like we did that in regards to Michael and Tua.”

— Ian Cunningham, General Manager, Atlanta Falcons

What’s next

The Falcons will monitor Penix's recovery throughout the offseason, and Tagovailoa will have the opportunity to prove himself during training camp and the preseason as he competes for the starting job.

The takeaway

The Falcons are taking a measured approach in their quarterback competition, giving both Tagovailoa and Penix a fair chance to win the starting job. This move provides Tagovailoa with a fresh start after his struggles in Miami, while also allowing Penix to reclaim his role once he's healthy.