Tua Tagovailoa Welcomes QB Competition With Michael Penix Jr. in Atlanta

Falcons GM says starting job is wide open as former Dolphins QB looks to reboot career in Atlanta

Mar. 14, 2026 at 4:39am

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Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham made it clear that the starting quarterback job will be an open competition between newly signed Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. Tagovailoa, who was released by the Miami Dolphins this offseason, said he is excited to compete against and alongside Penix, who is recovering from an ACL injury. The Falcons are hoping to avoid the situation they had with Kirk Cousins, whose bloated contract handcuffed the team.

Why it matters

The Falcons are looking to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season and are giving both Tagovailoa and Penix a chance to earn the starting QB job. This open competition should bring out the best in both players as they try to solidify themselves as the team's long-term answer at the position.

The details

Tagovailoa, who has 76 career starts over his six-year NFL career, will compete with Penix, who has just 12 career starts. Penix is recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in November, which could give Tagovailoa an early edge. However, Falcons GM Cunningham made it clear that no starting jobs are being handed out, and everyone on the roster will have to earn their spot.

  • Tagovailoa signed with the Falcons as a free agent in March 2026.
  • Penix is recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in November 2025.

The players

Tua Tagovailoa

A six-year NFL veteran quarterback who was recently released by the Miami Dolphins and signed with the Atlanta Falcons on a team-friendly, league-minimum contract.

Michael Penix Jr.

The Falcons' incumbent quarterback who is recovering from an ACL injury suffered in November 2025.

Ian Cunningham

The general manager of the Atlanta Falcons who stated that the starting quarterback job will be an open competition.

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What they’re saying

“We're not in the business of really handing out starting positions in February and March, the same, right? For Tua coming in here, he knows he's coming in to compete, just like Michael (Penix Jr.) knows that he's coming in to compete.”

— Ian Cunningham, Falcons General Manager (heavy.com)

“If there's no competition, I don't think anyone's getting better, in aspect of the field of work you're in. I am excited to be able to compete against (Penix), to compete with him, to be able to get to know my teammates on a personal level, knowing them from the outside in.”

— Tua Tagovailoa (AtlantaFalcons.com)

What’s next

The Falcons will monitor Penix's recovery from his ACL injury as the team heads into training camp, where the quarterback competition between him and Tagovailoa will ramp up.

The takeaway

The Falcons are wisely avoiding the mistakes of the past by keeping the starting quarterback job open and allowing Tagovailoa and Penix to compete for the role. This approach should bring out the best in both players and give the team the best chance to find a long-term solution at the position.