Former NFL HC believes Tua Tagovailoa has already decided to retire

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Former NFL HC believes Tua Tagovailoa has already decided to retire

By Steven Kubitza | Last updated Sep 13, 2026 9:01 AM ET

The Atlanta Falcons named Tua Tagovailoa the Week 1 starting quarterback last Monday. Fast forward a few days and he was ruled out with an injury suffered in practice, making Cooper Rush the new starter.

Tagovailoa struggled throughout the summer, and Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski notably waited until the last possible moment to name him the starter. That was seemingly done by default once it became clear Michael Penix Jr. would not be ready for the opener.

This continues a drastic decline for the former No. 5 overall pick, who saw the team that drafted him, the Miami Dolphins, take on a record dead-cap penalty just to get rid of him.

One former NFL head coach believes Tagovailoa is signaling to us all that he is ready for retirement.

Former NFL HC shares bold Tua Tagovailoa retirement take

Todd Haley has had a long NFL coaching career that includes a head coaching stint with the Kansas City Chiefs. The current UFL coach spoke with Tyler Dunne and shared his thoughts on Tagovailoa.

Is Tua Tagovailoa retiring and he hasn't told anyone yet?

Todd Haley thinks so.

Full pod: https://t.co/ZVN7yw7ex3 pic.twitter.com/2xPGg6008A
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) September 12, 2026

Haley began by discussing Russell Wilson at the end of his career, already focusing on his next chapter of life.

"If you're not 100% in, you're not in," Haley said. "You've retired, you just haven't announced it. So, I think we're seeing it with Tua, last year, and what we're seeing kind of this progression into the regular season for the Falcons. I feel, this is my opinion I don't know if I'm right, but I feel like Tua's retired and hasn't told anybody yet. He wants to be out there, but he really doesn't."

This is a strong take, and one Tagovailoa will have to fight back against if he wants to continue being an NFL starting quarterback. Will he work hard and make a quick return? Or will Rush seize the job until Penix is ready?

Tagovailoa was given a long leash in Miami and a chance in Atlanta. It's hard to imagine another team giving him a starting job unless he wins it via a competition.

As Haley notes, it's possible Tagovailoa is already thinking about his next chapter in life.

Steven Kubitza

Steven Kubitza is a Cleveland, Ohio, native with over a decade in the news industry. His work has been featured on Yahoo Sports, FOX Sports, and FanSided, among other outlets. He is a lifelong Browns fan who is convinced the team will turn things around at some point in the next 50 years

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