Falcons highlight concerning QB situation with 2026 team captains

The five are Nick Folk, Jessie Bates III, Bijan Robinson, Chris Lindstrom, and Divine Deablo. Fans will quickly notice there is no quarterback among the group.

An NFL team's starting quarterback is usually a lock to be a team captain. It is the most important position on a team and one that requires leadership. The problem in Atlanta is that there was not a clear signal-caller to pick as captain.

Tagovailoa showed up in Atlanta after the Miami Dolphins took on a record dead-cap hit to move on from the former No. 5 overall pick. He had a chance to seize the job in preseason and was unable to do so.

Penix was the No. 8 overall pick in 2024 and has made 12 starts in two years while dealing with recurring injuries that have plagued him throughout college and the NFL.

Falcons fans are surely concerned that the team's 41-year-old kicker is a captain while two former first-round quarterbacks are not.

Stefanski needs to make a decision, but it seems clear at this point Falcons fans will be seeing both quarterbacks get starts in 2026. That is, unless one of the southpaws surprises us all.