Could Falcons make shocking Tua Tagovailoa decision?

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Could Falcons make shocking Tua Tagovailoa decision?

By Ernesto Cova | Last updated Aug 27, 2026 1:49 PM ET

Kevin Stefanski may have left the Cleveland Browns, but he's still overseeing underwhelming quarterback competitions.

This time with the Atlanta Falcons, the first-year head coach is still on the fence about whether to start Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr.

Notably, the fact that Tagovailoa hasn't been able to run away with the job despite going against a player returning from a major injury might say everything there is to know about his actual chances.

That's why NFL insider Mike Florio wondered whether Tagovailoa was even worth keeping around after roster-cut day.

The Atlanta Falcons may not keep Tua Tagovailoa

"One of the primary candidates, Michael Penix Jr., a guy who just was cleared to participate in 11-on-11 drills after his latest ACL tear. What does all of that say about their feelings regarding Tua Tagovailoa?" Florio asked. "Shouldn't he be the starter by now? And if he hasn't won the starting job by now, you have to wonder whether or not he'll be on the roster by Monday."

If Tua Tagovailoa can’t win the Week 1 starting job in Atlanta, will he even make the 53-man roster? pic.twitter.com/iv251GtwMp
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 27, 2026

That makes sense to a degree, given that the Falcons wouldn't be on the hook for a lot of money if they'd let him go.

That said, Penix has been underwhelming when healthy, and he has an extensive injury history.

So, with Tagovailoa making roughly $1.3 million, there's no harm in keeping him around as insurance, even if he's clearly not the player he was several years ago.

Whatever the case, the Falcons are still stuck in a tough spot regarding their quarterback situation, and Stefanski might be having deja vu.

Ernesto Cova

Ernesto is a bilingual (English-Spanish) sports writer with over eight years of experience covering major leagues such as the NBA, NFL, and MLB. Ernesto’s work focuses on providing insightful, up-to-date coverage of sports, blending his expertise in sports psychology with a passion for analyzing player performance, team dynamics, and trade developments across various sports leagues

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