Analyst Questions Falcons' Signing of Tua Tagovailoa

ESPN's Liz Loza expresses doubts about the move, citing Tua's struggles in Miami.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:37am

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The Atlanta Falcons have signed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.3 million deal, but ESPN analyst Liz Loza is questioning the move. Loza notes that the Dolphins were willing to incur a record $99.2 million dead cap hit to release Tua, which she says "speaks volumes" about his struggles. While the Falcons' investment in Tua is relatively low, Loza believes it's "far from inspiring as a move." Tua will now compete with Michael Penix Jr., who is rehabbing a torn ACL, for the starting quarterback job in Atlanta.

Why it matters

The Falcons' quarterback situation has been in flux since the departure of longtime starter Matt Ryan. The team signed Kirk Cousins to a big deal, but he is now elsewhere, and Penix's injury has left the team in need of a viable option under center. Tua's addition is seen as a low-risk, high-potential move, but some analysts are skeptical about his ability to turn his career around in Atlanta.

The details

The Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.3 million contract in free agency. Tua was released by the Miami Dolphins, who incurred a record $99.2 million in dead cap space to move on from the former first-round pick. Tua will now compete with Michael Penix Jr., who was drafted by the Falcons in the first round last year, for the starting quarterback job. Penix is currently rehabbing a torn ACL, leaving the door open for Tua to potentially win the job.

  • The Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.3 million contract in March 2026.
  • Michael Penix Jr. was drafted by the Falcons in the first round in 2025.

The players

Tua Tagovailoa

A former first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins who is now looking to revive his career with the Atlanta Falcons on a one-year, $1.3 million contract.

Michael Penix Jr.

The Falcons' first-round draft pick in 2025 who is currently rehabbing a torn ACL injury.

Liz Loza

An ESPN analyst who has expressed doubts about the Falcons' signing of Tua Tagovailoa.

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What they’re saying

“The Falcons signing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Given Michael Penix Jr.'s ACL injury and Kirk Cousins' release, adding Tagovailoa made sense for the Falcons. But it's far from a flex. After all, the Dolphins willingly incurred an NFL-record $99.2 million dead cap hit to release him. That speaks volumes. Though the Falcons' investment in Tagovailoa is relatively low (one-year, $1.3 million deal), it's far from inspiring as a move.”

— Liz Loza, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

The Falcons' offseason program will begin soon, and Tua Tagovailoa will have the opportunity to prove himself and win the starting quarterback job over Michael Penix Jr. If Tua can't beat out Penix, who has been inconsistent in the league so far, it could spell the end of Tua's days as a starting NFL quarterback.

The takeaway

The Falcons' quarterback situation remains uncertain, with Tua Tagovailoa's addition seen as a low-risk, high-potential move by some, but a questionable decision by others. Tua will have to make the most of his opportunity in Atlanta, as he looks to revive his career and prove the doubters wrong.