Why Falcons likely won't bench Cooper Rush for beloved UDFA after rough Week 1 image
The Atlanta Falcons have a very brutal quarterback situation during the 2026 NFL season. Michael Penix Jr. is supposed to be the starter, but he's coming off an injury and isn't 100% just yet.
Tua Tagovailoa was meant to be the starter, but he sustained an oblique injury during practice, leaving Cooper Rush to start. He, too, was dealing with an injury, but the Falcons stuck with him as the starter. That was a mistake, as he really struggled.
It wouldn't be surprising for fans and media to call for the Falcons to start beloved undrafted free agent quarterback Jack Strand in place of Rush. But, Marc Raimondi of ESPN shared why the Falcons won't make the switch, as they don't believe he's ready yet.
Why Jack Strand isn't going to start for Falcons soon
"It does not seem like the team thinks undrafted rookie Jack Strand, who played great in the preseason, is ready just yet," Raimondi writes.
Strand would make for a very fun starting quarterback, but he's the kind of player who gets a start or two near the end of the season when things are pretty much over.
Starting him in Week 1 or Week 2 would be a major leap to make with the undrafted rookie free agent. Still, the hype surrounding Strand is enough that some fans and media will be pulling for the Falcons to make the switch.
But, since the Falcons don't believe he's ready to start just yet, Kevin Stefanski isn't likely to make this QB switch barring some necessary change.
After Rush went 12-for-22 for 143 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, making a change would not be surprising.
MORE: Carson Wentz changes Vikings quarterback conversation in stunning Week 1 win
That is, if there was a more competent backup option on the roster. Strand is a rookie who went undrafted. While he showed promise during the preseason, playing in an actual NFL game is different. It's going to be a starting defense, not one comprised of backups.
If there were a game that Strand could start and have a real chance of performing well, it would be Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers, whom just allowed the Chicago Bears to score 59 points on them in Week 1.
As much as some fans might want to see Strand start for the Falcons, it's not looking likely at all thanks to the Falcons not believing the UDFA rookie is ready to start in the NFL.
More NFL news: