Falcons name starting quarterback for preseason opener

Since the start of training camp, Tua Tagovailoa has been on track to serve as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback over Michael Penix Jr. for the club's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos on Aug. 14.

On Wednesday, first-year Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed that Tagovailoa is getting the nod for the Broncos game. Stefanski also shared an update on the Tagovailoa-Penix competition.

Falcons not ready to name winner of Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr. competition

"We're not there to name a starter for Week 1," Stefanski said, per Marc Raimondi of ESPN. "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."

It remains to be seen when Stefanski and Co. will determine they are ready to cross that figurative bridge. Penix spent the spring recovering from the surgery he needed last fall to repair a partially torn ACL, and he is still not yet fully cleared for 11-on-11 team sessions in practice. Even if the Falcons clear Penix for such work as soon as next week, it's unknown if he would take any snaps in the Falcons' game at the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 22.

As for Tagovailoa, he has impressed Stefanski and other coaches with the way he has become "more comfortable with the system and the play calls and protection adjustments and everything." As Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk noted, Stefanski said on Wednesday he is "looking forward to Tua getting his first action in the game in this system." 

"There’s a lot of newness for him as well, in terms of that kind of thing — first time in the building for him as a Falcon. Just understanding all the things that go with it," Stefanski said about Tagovailoa. 

Do Falcons think Michael Penix Jr. will be able to make this a real QB battle? 

Unless Tagovailoa falls on his face against the Broncos and the Colts, he presumably could have the starting job won before the Falcons play their preseason finale at the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 28. According to Josh Kendall of The Athletic, Stefanski said Wednesday he is "very, very confident with where we are with Mike" regarding the signal-caller's recovery. 

"I think he’s doing a great job," Stefanski added about Penix. "I’m confident in the plan that medical has for Mike, and that Mike has. I think confidence just comes from all these reps. Very pleased with where Mike is."

Nothing Stefanski said on Wednesday would lead one to believe that Penix will be able to spark a legitimate quarterback competition before the Falcons name a Week 1 starter.