Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa.
Heavy
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa.
For one of the first times since signing with the Atlanta Falcons after his release from the Miami Dolphins, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa spoke with media members on March 24. Atlanta signed Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.3 million deal after Miami moved on and took on a massive dead-money hit, giving the Falcons a low-risk way to add an experienced quarterback to the room.
Tagovailoa, who will be entering the seventh year of his NFL career, will be joining the Falcons in 2026, but with far less certainty than what he originally had in Miami.
Tagovailoa became the starter shortly after just one season with the Dolphins and held that position for years before being benched for the final three games last season. The only other times he wasn’t starting came when he was sidelined with injuries, which, unfortunately, has happened too often.
Naturally, the media asked the new Falcons quarterback about his health as he prepares for next season.
Tua Tagovailoa Gives Falcons Encouraging Health Update
Sports Illustrated’s Daniel Flick reported that Tagovailoa passed the Falcons’ medical checks, with a few things coming back better than expected.
“You either love the game or you don’t. You know the challenges that are ahead in terms of playing this sport with the injury.”
Falcons reporter Tori McElhaney added that Tagovailoa said his testing with the team was “way better” than maybe what was initially thought.
That’s obviously encouraging for Atlanta, considering health has followed Tagovailoa throughout much of his career. He is 44-32 as a starter, but he has also missed 14 games over the last four seasons. Though his talent has come into question lately, it’s been staying on the field that has become his biggest concern.
Tua Tagovailoa Embraces Falcons QB Competition, Offensive Fit
Tagovailoa also spoke about what it will be like competing with and playing alongside Penix.
Will McFadden noted that Tagovailoa called it “very unique” having two left-handed quarterbacks on the same roster, adding that it makes things “a lot easier on the receivers.” He also made it clear he plans to help Penix however he can.
“I’m going to do whatever I can to help him with what he needs for his game,” Tagovailoa said.
That’s the kind of answer the Falcons probably wanted to hear. Even though there is a real quarterback battle here, Atlanta does not need tension or drama at the position after everything that happened with Kirk Cousins the last two years.
Tagovailoa also said he has already had preliminary conversations with Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees about the system.
“There’s going to be a reason for everything we do,” Tagovailoa said.
Atlanta’s coaching staff has emphasized building a singular voice around the quarterback position this offseason, and that structure could benefit both Tagovailoa and Penix as the competition unfolds.
So while Penix may still be viewed as the future once healthy, Tagovailoa didn’t sound like someone coming to Atlanta just to hold a clipboard. He sounded like someone who knows exactly what this opportunity is: a reset, a prove-it year and maybe one last real shot to change the way the league looks at him.