Michael Penix Jr.
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Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.
It seems like no matter what, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is always fighting for his starting position. For the third year in a row, that appears to be the case anyways.
After being drafted No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Penix — although not in direct competition at the time — was at least heavily gazing over the shoulder of then-recent free agent signee Kirk Cousins, despite his four-year, $180 million deal.
Penix would end up starting the final three games of that season after Cousins struggled. He was then named the starter for the 2025 season by then-head coach Raheem Morris. Unfortunately, Penix went down midseason with a season-ending ACL injury in his left knee, missing the final eight games and giving the spot immediately back to Cousins.
Now Cousins is gone after the Falcons released him. However, Penix now has new competition in former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The fear now is that Penix may once again find himself watching his opportunity slip away.
More Falcons On Heavy: Tua Tagovailoa Sends Clear Message To Michael Penix On Falcons QB Competition
Will Falcons QB Competition Be the End For Michael Penix Jr.?
The Falcons were lucky to call dibs on Tagovailoa thanks to being able to sign him to a team-friendly, league-minimum deal, with the Dolphins still footing his $54 million guaranteed salary from his previous contract.
That sets up what new Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham says will be a quarterback competition heading into 2026.
“We’re not in the business of really handing out starting positions in February and March, the same, right? For Tua coming in here, he knows he’s coming in to compete, just like Michael (Penix Jr.) knows that he’s coming in to compete,” Cunningham said.
Still, even though Cunningham has said there will be a competition, there’s the underlying fear that Penix’s career could be in jeopardy. However, ESPN’s Dan Graziano doesn’t believe that to be the case, saying that Tagovailoa’s signing isn’t a “slam dunk” by any means.
“My sense is the Falcons view Penix as the starter once he’s healthy and Tagovailoa is just there for coverage in case he isn’t ready,” Graziano wrote.
Though that very well could be the case, nothing is certain in the NFL, especially at the quarterback position. Penix seems to have all the tools to be a franchise quarterback, but he needs more experience after making just 14 starts. The problem, however, may be that the Falcons don’t have the time to give him that development window.
Tua Tagovailoa’s Recent Struggles Help Michael Penix Jr.
Tagovailoa was eventually benched in the final three games of last season, and his consistent struggles ultimately led the Dolphins to release him despite the massive guaranteed money still owed.
Releasing a quarterback with that kind of salary cap hit says a lot about a team’s feelings toward a player. The Falcons’ small investment in Tagovailoa for one season shouldn’t necessarily scare Penix supporters. Atlanta simply needed to prepare for the possibility that Penix may not be ready to start Week 1.
That said, the situation still creates uncertainty around Penix’s future.
Unless Tagovailoa lights things up early in the season, there is still plenty of belief that Penix will get another chance to prove he’s the long-term answer in Atlanta.
And if both fail… well, the Falcons will be back in the quarterback market in 2027.