The Atlanta Falcons agreed to terms with veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian on Tuesday, adding him as depth to a position group that already includes Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr.
Siemian entered the league as a seventh-round pick of the Denver Broncos back in 2015 out of Northwestern University. He spent portions of the last two seasons on the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad and has not seen regular-season action since making three starts for the New York Jets in 2023.
His role here is not a debate: third quarterback in a room built around two higher-profile starters.
What Siemian Brings to Atlanta’s Complicated Three-Man Quarterback Room
The quarterback room in Atlanta has a problem that goes beyond who starts. Penix, the 2024 first-round pick, is still recovering from a torn ACL, an injury that is expected to limit his availability for a notable stretch of the spring, which opens up a real share of practice reps for Siemian.
Tagovailoa spent years as the starter in Miami before signing with Atlanta in free agency, and Penix is set to compete for the starting job once both are healthy.
Another QB to add with Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa; https://t.co/GSBxEx1vfx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 24, 2026
Quarterback Trevor Siemian
Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Jets quarterback Trevor Siemian (14) warms up before the game between the Jets and the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Per Pro Football Rumors, whichever of the two does not win the starting spot takes on backup duties, sliding Siemian into the third spot regardless of that outcome.
Siemian is 15-18 as a starter across 40 career games. He has completed 58.5% of his passes for 7,751 yards, 44 touchdowns, and 32 interceptions.
After his two-year run as Denver’s primary starter in 2016 and 2017, he moved through the Vikings, Saints, Bears, Bengals, and two separate stints each with the Jets and Titans. The Falcons are his 10th NFL team.
Stefanski’s Prior Work With Siemian Could Speed Up the Adjustment Process
Jonathan Allen, Atlanta Falcons, Commanders
Dec 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Trevor Siemian (14) fights for yards as Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) tackles during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski and Siemian are not meeting for the first time, the two worked together in 2018 when Denver traded Siemian to the Vikings, where Stefanski was part of the offensive staff.
That history with the same system and coach gives Siemian a shorter learning curve than a quarterback coming in completely cold would have.
Siemian works best behind a sound offensive line and without a game plan that demands consistent downfield shots. He is a serviceable game-manager type, nothing more.
Per Pro Football Rumors, Atlanta had roughly $14 million in cap space entering Tuesday. Siemian’s deal is expected to fall near the league minimum, leaving room for further additions.
Tua carries a well-documented concussion history, and Penix has no firm return date from his ACL surgery. Atlanta is not building its season around a 34-year-old backup, but between two quarterbacks with real physical question marks, having someone who has actually won NFL starts is not a bad insurance policy here.