Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons will have some decisions to make before Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
Falcons President of Football Matt Ryan believes that the quarterback competition between Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa will be extremely competitive. Along with these comments, Ryan provided an update on Michael Penix Jr.
Up & Adams
Falcons President of Football Matt Ryan says QB Michael Penix Jr. “has hit every checkpoint” and has been using him as a resource during his recovery from ACL surgery @M_Ryan02 | @themikepenix | @heykayadams
“[Penix] has hit every checkpoint along the way up until this point,” Ryan said during an appearance on the Up and Adams Show. “He has done everything the right way. His attention to detail during his rehab has been excellent. His mindset and his attitude have really good. He’s really mature.”
At this time, there is no definitive timeline for Penix’s return.
Ryan Did Not Commit to Penix as QB1 in February
Michael Penix Jr. is recovering from surgery to repair a partially torn left ACL, which he suffered last November. Penix suffered his injury after taking a sack in the third quarter of a Week 11 game against the Carolina Panthers.
Before Michael Penix Jr. went down, he completed 60.1 percent of his passes while throwing for 1,982 yards during the 2025 season. He had nine total touchdowns and 3 interceptions.
During General Manager Ian Cunningham’s introductory press conference in February, Ryan was asked if Michael Penix Jr. will be the starter when he returns.
Ryan did not say yes or no.
“Neither of us are the head coach of the football team, so we can’t answer your question on that,” Ryan said. “I think as we start to get into this process and dive deeper into the roster — how it currently stands, where it’s going in the future — I think those are conversations that’ll be a part of it.”
“Quarterback’s obviously very important, and we’re excited about Mike and what he’s doing with his rehab. I’ve been up at the facility the last three weeks, and Michael’s been in there attacking that and he’s in a good space right now, so we’re excited about where he is at. But certainly, a lot of discussions for us about the entire roster.”
The Atlanta Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year contract worth up to $1.3 million in March.
Tua Tagovailoa Ready to Compete for Starting Position
After having an unsuccessful season with the Miami Dolphins in 2025, the team parted ways with Tua Tagovailoa on March 6, 2026. Tagovailoa finished the 2025 season with 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Now that Tagovailoa has landed in Atlanta, the quarterback competition is expected to be interesting. Tagovailoa is looking forward to competing.
“If there’s no competition, I don’t think anyone’s getting better, in aspect of the field of work you’re in,” Tagovailoa said in an Atlanta Falcons article. “I am excited to be able to compete against [Penix], to compete with him, to be able to get to know my teammates on a personal level, knowing them from the outside in. We have a lot of good football players on this team, so I’m excited to get to play with these guys and get the chance to throw the ball around, conversate with them. I think it’s going to be great.”
Matt Ryan is a former Atlanta Falcons quarterback. It will be interesting how he helps Kevin Stefanski to see who gets the starting job in Atlanta.