Anonymous NFL GM Says Falcons’ Tua Tagovailoa No Longer Viable as Starter
An unnamed general manager told a football insider that Tua Tagovailoa is no longer capable of playing, suggesting the Atlanta Falcons will move on from him as a starting quarterback.
An unnamed NFL general manager told football insider Jason La Canfora that the Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa "can't play" and that his tenure as a starter is over. The comment came as the Falcons approach their season opener on Sept. 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers without having announced a definitive starter, with competition reportedly between Tagovailoa and former first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. The team has not clarified whether the delay is strategic or related to Tagovailoa’s recent injuries, which include multiple concussions and a partially torn ACL from the previous season. Tagovailoa, 28, has not distinguished himself in training camp, scrimmages, or preseason games, according to the GM’s assessment.
"Tua can’t play," the GM said. "That’s over."