Falcons Land Tua Tagovailoa in 'Shrewd' Free Agency Move

NFL.com ranks Atlanta's signing of the former Pro Bowl QB as one of the best offseason moves.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:34pm

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The Atlanta Falcons made a splash in free agency by signing former Pro Bowl quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year, veteran-minimum deal. NFL.com's Jeffri Chadiha praised the move as a "shrewd" decision that gives the Falcons a reliable option at QB to complement their talented offensive weapons like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts.

Why it matters

The Falcons have struggled with inconsistent quarterback play in recent years, and the Tagovailoa signing provides them with an experienced starter who could help turn the team into a playoff contender in the NFC South. While Tagovailoa has dealt with injury issues, the low-risk, high-reward nature of the deal makes it an astute move by the Falcons' front office.

The details

In addition to the Tagovailoa signing, the Falcons have been active in free agency, restructuring A.J. Terrell's contract to create cap space and adding defensive veterans Samson Ebukam, Azeez Ojulari, and Da'Shawn Hand. The team also officially signed slot receiver Olamide Zaccheaus. While the Falcons have focused on building depth, the Tagovailoa signing stands out as the headline move, with NFL.com praising it as one of the 10 best of the 2026 offseason.

  • The Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year, veteran-minimum deal on March 13, 2026.
  • The team restructured A.J. Terrell's contract and signed Samson Ebukam, Azeez Ojulari, and Da'Shawn Hand on March 14, 2026.
  • The Falcons officially added Olamide Zaccheaus on March 15, 2026.

The players

Tua Tagovailoa

A former Pro Bowl quarterback who has dealt with injury issues but could provide the Falcons with a reliable starting option at a discounted price.

A.J. Terrell

The Falcons' star cornerback whose contract was restructured to create additional cap space for the team.

Samson Ebukam

A defensive veteran with starting experience who was signed by the Falcons to bolster their defensive depth.

Azeez Ojulari

Another defensive veteran with starting experience who was signed by the Falcons to improve their defensive unit.

Da'Shawn Hand

A defensive lineman with starting experience who was signed by the Falcons to add depth to their defensive front.

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What they’re saying

“Speaking of Tagovailoa, his one-year deal with Atlanta is a shrewd move for both sides. The Falcons have plenty of talent, especially on offense, with All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts (who finally matured into a real difference-maker last season). What they haven't had in a long time is reliable quarterback play.”

— Jeffri Chadiha, NFL.com (NFL.com)

What’s next

The Falcons will look to Tua Tagovailoa to provide stability at the quarterback position and help lead the team to a potential playoff berth in the NFC South. The team will also monitor the recovery of Michael Penix Jr., their 2024 first-round pick, as he looks to bounce back from a torn ACL.

The takeaway

The Falcons' signing of Tua Tagovailoa on a low-risk, high-reward deal is a savvy move that could pay dividends for a team with a talented roster but questions at quarterback. By adding an experienced starter like Tagovailoa, the Falcons have positioned themselves to compete in the NFC South and potentially make a playoff push in 2026.