Michael Penix
Getty
Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons
As the new NFL league year approaches, the Atlanta Falcons will be one of many teams on the hunt for a quarterback. Atlanta’s situation, however, isn’t as straightforward as some of the other quarterback-needy teams across the league.
The Falcons could be looking for a backup to Michael Penix Jr., or they could be looking for his eventual replacement — even if that comes on a short-term deal.
This also isn’t the ideal year to be shopping for quarterbacks. The 2026 NFL Draft offers limited options, while free agency features a mix of aging veterans and players looking for a fresh start elsewhere.
That’s the situation the Falcons find themselves in just days away from free agency. Either way, they will need another quarterback in the room with Penix as he rehabs from ACL surgery following the upcoming release of Kirk Cousins.
One quarterback Atlanta is being urged to stay away from, though, is Miami Dolphins signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa.
Falcons Warned Tua Tagovailoa Could Be ‘Dangerous Gamble’
It hasn’t been officially announced that the Dolphins will release Tagovailoa, but signs appear to be pointing in that direction despite the team potentially taking on a $99 million dead cap hit.
If he does hit the market, The Athletic’s Josh Kendall believes the Falcons should proceed with extreme caution.
“The best argument I could make for bringing in Tagovailoa would be that he’s so bad that Penix wouldn’t be threatened by him, and that’s not exactly a great selling point,” Kendall wrote. “Tagovailoa has gone from the Pro Bowl in 2023 to throwing the fifth-most interceptions in the league in the last two seasons, and Miami seems willing to eat $99 million in dead cap space to get him out of the locker room.”
Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano offered a slightly different perspective, suggesting Tagovailoa might only make sense as a fallback option.
“Tagovailoa doesn’t really fit that mold, but at 28, he’s an interesting reclamation project if the Falcons are already doubting Penix’s long-term future,” Vacchiano wrote. “His injury history is definitely a concern, but his talent is undeniable. If Stefanski is the quarterback guru the Falcons hope he is, he might be able to fix him.”
Still, confidence in Tagovailoa appears to have dipped significantly following the past two seasons.
During that stretch in Miami, Tagovailoa missed nine games while throwing 39 touchdowns and 22 interceptions, logging a 12–13 record as a starter.
Michael Penix Jr. Looking For Week 1 Start For Falcons
For what it’s worth, the Falcons’ new leadership group has publicly supported Penix.
That said, it’s clear that Kevin Stefanski, general manager Ian Cunningham and president of football Matt Ryan are working to correct many of the roster decisions left behind by the previous regime.
That potentially includes Penix himself, who was selected No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft — a move that raised eyebrows after Atlanta had just signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal weeks earlier.
For Penix, the immediate focus remains on getting healthy.
He recently told Barstool’s Jon Gruden that he believes he’ll be ready for training camp and the start of the regular season.
Whether that ultimately proves true remains to be seen.