Falcons Begin Evaluating Quarterbacks as Competition Looms

Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. will compete for the starting QB job in Atlanta this summer.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:05am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fractured, multi-angle view of a football quarterback dropping back to pass, with the dominant colors being the red, black, and white of the Atlanta Falcons' team colors.The Falcons' quarterback competition between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. will be a key storyline this offseason as the team searches for its next long-term starter.Flowery Branch Today

The Atlanta Falcons are set to have an open quarterback competition this offseason between newcomer Tua Tagovailoa and incumbent starter Michael Penix Jr. While Penix is recovering from an ACL injury, the team is already beginning to evaluate both players as they learn the new offensive system under coordinator Kevin Stefanski.

Why it matters

The Falcons have not had an open QB competition since drafting Matt Ryan in 2008, so this battle between Tagovailoa and Penix will be a major storyline for the team heading into the 2026 season. The winner will be tasked with leading Atlanta's offense, which features talented skill position players like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts Sr.

The details

Stefanski said the team is focused on having both quarterbacks learn the new offensive system first, before evaluating them on a 'day-to-day basis' once the offseason program progresses. Penix is expected to return from his ACL injury over the next several months, at which point the competition will ramp up. Running back Bijan Robinson, who has experience with quarterback battles from his time at Texas, is optimistic the competition will help both Tagovailoa and Penix become 'great players'.

  • The Falcons' offseason program is currently in Phase 1, which lasts two weeks and focuses on strength training, conditioning, meetings, and physical rehab.
  • Once Penix returns to full health over the next several months, the quarterback competition between him and Tagovailoa will officially shift from conversation to reality.

The players

Tua Tagovailoa

A newcomer to the Falcons, Tagovailoa will compete with incumbent starter Michael Penix Jr. for the team's starting quarterback job.

Michael Penix Jr.

The Falcons' incumbent starting quarterback, Penix is recovering from an ACL injury and will compete with Tua Tagovailoa for the starting job once he returns to full health.

Kevin Stefanski

The Falcons' offensive coordinator, Stefanski is overseeing the quarterback competition and evaluating both Tagovailoa and Penix as they learn the new offensive system.

Bijan Robinson

The Falcons' talented running back, Robinson has experience with quarterback battles from his time at the University of Texas and is optimistic the competition between Tagovailoa and Penix will help them both become 'great players'.

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What they’re saying

“Just focus on what's in front of them. So much of their jobs and their evaluation is going to be on a day-to-day basis, and treat every meeting, treat every practice like it's a game. Put yourself in the game setting and give the best accounting of yourself that you can.”

— Kevin Stefanski, Offensive Coordinator, Atlanta Falcons

“I think the competition will help them become great players in themselves. I think when they get the offense down – because obviously we're trying to get the offense down right now – and when they build that confidence, then it's our part – me, Drake [London], Jahan [Dotson], Kyle [Pitts Sr.], Charlie [Woerner], and all the guys – to make sure that we're playmakers for them and to make them feel as comfortable as possible.”

— Bijan Robinson, Running Back, Atlanta Falcons

What’s next

Once Penix returns to full health over the next several months, the quarterback competition between him and Tagovailoa will officially shift from conversation to reality as the Falcons move into more on-field work during the offseason program.

The takeaway

The Falcons' quarterback competition between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. will be a major storyline this offseason as the team looks to find its next long-term starter at the position. The winner of the battle will have the opportunity to lead an offense with talented skill position players like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts Sr.