Atlanta, Ga. – The Atlanta Falcons confirmed on Monday that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will lead the team in its Week 1 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coach Kevin Stefanski also said that Michael Penix Jr., who suffered a season‑ending torn ACL in November 2025, will be inactive for the game.
Decision after a competitive preseason
Tagovailoa earned the nod after receiving the most repetitions during training camp. He split time with undrafted rookie Jack Strand and veteran Cooper Rush in the Falcons’ final preseason game, completing seven of eight passes for 95 yards and engineering a 60‑yard touchdown drive. Although he lost a fumble on his second drive, the Falcons defeated the Miami Dolphins 17‑12.
Stefanski praised the entire quarterback group, noting that they “worked like crazy all offseason” and have pushed each other to improve. “Really, really proud of those guys,” he said. “We’ll continue to support Tua and the whole group as they get up to speed with the new system.”
Penix’s recovery and outlook
Michael Penix Jr. was cleared for 11‑on‑11 drills on Aug. 22 but did not appear in any preseason contests. When asked about his status, Penix said he feels “really close” to being ready but wants to be “100%” before returning to game action. “I want to be stronger. I want to be able to go out there and give the team 100%, and if I don’t feel like I can do that, I don’t want to,” he explained, emphasizing his commitment to the team’s success.
Stefanski met with both quarterbacks before the decision and said the coaching staff felt strongly about the choice based on all available information. “Of course, Mike just getting back to 11‑on‑11, wanted to make sure we gave him an opportunity in these practices, and we did,” Stefanski said, adding that the decision reflects the best interests of the organization.
Backup plan and roster notes
Cooper Rush will serve as the primary backup for Tagovailoa, with Jack Strand providing depth as an undrafted rookie. The Falcons’ quarterback room now consists of Tagovailoa, Rush, Strand, and the injured Penix.
Tagovailoa signed a one‑year contract with Atlanta in March after six seasons with the Miami Dolphins. Miami still carries a $99.2 million dead‑cap charge over the next two seasons from a 2024 contract extension.
Looking ahead to the season opener
The Week 1 game will take place at the Steelers’ home stadium, marking Tagovailoa’s first start for the Falcons at the site of his final appearance with Miami. The quarterback was benched in Miami’s Dec. 15 loss to the Steelers, a game that ended 28‑15.
Stefanski expressed confidence in Tagovailoa’s preparation, noting the quarterback’s work ethic throughout the offseason. “He’s done a really nice job of working at it,” Stefanski said. “I think he’s really put himself in position to go be the best version of himself.”
Falcons fans can expect a fresh start under Tagovailoa’s arm as the team seeks to improve on a disappointing 2025 campaign that ended with Penix’s injury. The coaching staff’s emphasis on competition and mutual support aims to set a tone of accountability and resilience for the upcoming season.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
