The Atlanta Falcons have a new quarterback under center in Tua Tagovailoa, who signed a one-year deal with the team on Monday. The move follows a tumultuous end to Tagovailoa's six-year tenure in Miami, where he was benched late in the 2025 season for rookie Quinn Ewers. By releasing Tagovailoa, the Dolphins took an NFL-record $99.2 million dead cap hit, effectively clearing the way for Atlanta to sign him to a veteran minimum contract.
For Tagovailoa, the move is a homecoming to the very turf where he became a college football legend; it was in this same building that he came off the bench to throw the iconic "2nd-and-26" game-winning touchdown to clinch the 2018 National Championship for Alabama. Now, he returns to Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the task of revitalizing an Atlanta offense that has struggled to find consistent scoring despite a wealth of high-end talent.
This signing immediately elevates the Falcons’ elite trio of playmakers. Tagovailoa’s quick processing and accuracy are a perfect match for high-volume target Drake London, while his red-zone touch finally offers Kyle Pitts a point guard who can maximize his catch radius. Most importantly, Tua’s presence forces defenses to respect the pass, clearing the way for 2025 scrimmage yards leader Bijan Robinson as Michael Penix Jr. continues his recovery.
Here's the Falcons' projected lineup with Tagovailoa at QB1.
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Falcons depth chart projection
Position Starter Second String Third String
QB Tua Tagovailoa Michael Penix Jr. (Inj.) Easton Stick
RB Bijan Robinson Tyler Allgeier Nathan Carter
WR1 Drake London Casey Washington Dylan Drummond
WR2 Jahan Dotson Olamide Zaccheaus Malik Heath
WR3 (Slot) Olamide Zaccheaus Deven Thompkins Chris Blair
TE Kyle Pitts Austin Hooper Charlie Woerner
LT Jake Matthews Storm Norton Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
LG Matthew Bergeron Kyle Hinton —
C Ryan Neuzil Jovaughn Gwyn —
RG Chris Lindstrom Jovaughn Gwyn —
RT Kaleb McGary Jack Nelson Michael Jerrell
For the past few seasons, the Atlanta Falcons have quietly assembled one of the most explosive skill position foundations in professional football. This group is headlined by Bijan Robinson, who cemented his status as a generational talent in 2025 by leading the NFL with a franchise-record 2,255 scrimmage yards. Complementing him on the perimeter is Drake London, who followed up a breakout 2024 with another 1,000-yard campaign, and tight end Kyle Pitts, who recently earned the franchise tag after a 2025 season where he led the team with 928 receiving yards. Together, they form a "Big Three" of top-ten draft picks who have all proven they can be the focal point of a high-octane offense.
The missing piece has long been a point guard capable of distributing the ball with the timing and touch these playmakers require. By signing Tua Tagovailoa, the Falcons have acquired a quarterback who has already proven he can orchestrate a league-leading offense, having paced the NFL with 4,624 passing yards in 2023. Tagovailoa’s elite quick-game processing and anticipation are a hand-in-glove fit for the rhythm-based West Coast system being implemented by new head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.
MORE:Falcons QB depth chart with Tua Tagovailoa
Why did the Falcons sign Tua Tagovailoa?
The Falcons brought in the veteran presence of Tagovailoa to stabilize the quarterback room following a significant knee injury to Penix Jr. This move provides the team with a proven starter who can lead the offense immediately, ensuring that the recovery process for their centerpiece is not rushed.
With Tagovailoa, a quarterback with established passing numbers, the Falcons are banking on a higher floor. Atlanta created a competitive environment that protects a roster featuring elite playmakers like Robinson, London, and Pitts; with Kirk Cousins at the helm, the Falcons won four straight games to end the 2025 season.
Schematically, the addition is a seamless fit for an offense built around these high-end skill positions. New head coach Kevin Stefanski, known for his ability to maximize efficient, rhythm-based passers, now has someone of executing his timing-sensitive West Coast system. The rare symmetry of having multiple left-handed passers allows the offensive line to maintain consistent protection schemes and lets the coaching staff call plays without altering the geometry of the field. This continuity is designed to maximize a group of athletes that has lacked consistent distribution despite their individual success.
Tagovailoa returns to the original scene of his collegiate success looking for professional redemption and a chance to revitalize his career. Surrounded by a talented supporting cast, the stage is set for a fresh start in a familiar and high-stakes environment.
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