The Atlanta Falcons wouldn't have brought in Tua Tagovailoa if they thought they were in great shape moving forward at quarterback.
Say what you want about Tua, but he's too good to get brought in without a QB controversy. Michael Penix Jr. is the incumbent, but he's coming off an injury, and there are certainly reasons to have doubt.
The new regime isn't tied to Penix, either. Matt Ryan, Kevin Stefanski and company are going to pick the quarterback they believes is best equipped to win them games right now.
That reality led ESPN's Dan Graziano to write a blurb on Tuesday titled, "Is Michael Penix Jr. in trouble?"
The answer might be yes.
"The eighth pick in the 2024 draft, Penix finished as the starter that season and began 2025 as the QB1," Graziano writes. "But he had only 1,982 passing yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions before a serious knee injury ended his season after nine games. The Falcons fired GM Terry Fontenot and coach Raheem Morris this offseason, and the new regime carries no draft-based loyalty to Penix. Atlanta signed former Dolphins starter Tua Tagovailoa, and right now he's the healthier of the two players."
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Penix has arm talent, but he also had major injury issues in college, and the fact that he's already been dealt an injury like this in the pros isn't a good sign.
He also hasn't been unstoppable enough to just deal with the injuries as a cost of doing business.
Tagovailoa has a history of success. He could win this job outright. And if Penix isn't even healthy to compete, that makes it simpler.
"Could Tagovailoa show enough this summer to become the favorite to start, even once Penix is healthy again?" Graziano wonders. "And if so, does that mean Penix's long-term future is already in doubt? New coach Kevin Stefanski went through more than his share of QB competitions and questions in Cleveland. He'd surely like some clarity here sooner rather than later."
The Falcons probably can't afford to have this two-QB battle linger into the season. They've got to get this figured out sooner rather than later, and on that front, Tua might just have the leg up.
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