Falcons' Quarterback Situation Ranked Among NFL's Worst Before Draft

Atlanta faces uncertainty at QB with Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. competing for the starting job

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:37pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game or quarterback competition, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the fragmented and uncertain nature of the Falcons' quarterback situation.The Falcons' quarterback competition between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. is a complex puzzle with no clear solution.Atlanta Today

The Atlanta Falcons enter the 2026 NFL Draft with major questions at quarterback. After releasing Kirk Cousins, the team signed free agent Tua Tagovailoa and will have him compete with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job. However, both quarterbacks have struggled as starters in the past, leading Bleacher Report to rank the Falcons' QB situation as one of the worst in the league heading into the draft.

Why it matters

The Falcons' quarterback uncertainty casts a cloud over the team's future, as they try to build a contender around their new head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Ian Cunningham. With the rest of the offense loaded with talent, the Falcons need stability and production at the QB position to take the next step.

The details

The Falcons decided to move on from Kirk Cousins after just two seasons and signed Tua Tagovailoa as a free agent. Tagovailoa will compete with Michael Penix Jr., a former top-10 draft pick who is recovering from a partially torn ACL. Neither quarterback has established themselves as a reliable starter in the NFL, leading Bleacher Report to rank the Falcons' QB situation as the 7th-worst in the league. However, the Falcons are not paying Tagovailoa or Penix high salaries, giving them flexibility to evaluate the position in 2026 before potentially making a long-term commitment.

  • The Falcons released Kirk Cousins in the 2026 offseason.
  • The Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa as a free agent in the 2026 offseason.
  • Michael Penix Jr. is recovering from a partially torn ACL suffered in the 2025 season.

The players

Kevin Stefanski

The new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, hired in the 2026 offseason.

Ian Cunningham

The new general manager of the Atlanta Falcons, hired in the 2026 offseason.

Tua Tagovailoa

A free agent quarterback signed by the Falcons in the 2026 offseason, who will compete for the starting job.

Michael Penix Jr.

A quarterback for the Falcons who is recovering from a partially torn ACL, and will compete with Tua Tagovailoa for the starting job.

Brad Gagnon

A writer for Bleacher Report who ranked the Falcons' quarterback situation as one of the worst in the NFL heading into the 2026 draft.

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What they’re saying

“Even prior to suffering a partially torn ACL midway through his sophomore season, former No. 8 overall pick Michael Penix Jr. wasn't inspiring much confidence. Now, he's recovering from said injury while the team rolls the dice on Tua Tagovailoa following his flameout in Miami.”

— Brad Gagnon, Bleacher Report Writer

“Both are talented top-10 picks on the right side of 30. In Tagovailoa's case, you've got a guy with three triple-digit-rated seasons on his resume. And it could help that the offense is loaded with talent at running back, receiver, tight end and along the offensive line.”

— Brad Gagnon, Bleacher Report Writer

What’s next

The Falcons will have to decide whether Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. will be their starting quarterback in 2026, with the possibility of re-signing Tagovailoa to a long-term deal if he plays well.

The takeaway

The Falcons' quarterback situation is highly uncertain heading into the 2026 season, as they try to find stability at the position and build a contender around their new coaching staff. The team's ability to develop either Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. will be crucial to their long-term success.