Falcons Yet to Name Starting Quarterback Ahead of Season Opener
With nine days until the first game, Atlanta has not announced its starting quarterback, with the decision expected early next week.
Atlanta's quarterback situation remains unresolved as the team approaches its season opener in nine days. The franchise has scheduled a press conference for the starting quarterback next Wednesday, indicating the decision will be made before then. Analysts note that the competition appears to be between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr., though Penix is still recovering from a torn ACL and has not participated in recent practices. If Penix is unavailable, the likely alternatives are Tagovailoa and backup Cooper Rush, with some speculation about undrafted rookie Jack Strand as a distant option.
Should the Falcons opt for Rush, who has a 9-7 record in 16 career starts, questions arise about retaining Tagovailoa, whose base salary is not guaranteed and who would still receive the $54 million owed by the Miami Dolphins for 2026 if released. Tagovailoa was initially signed as a cost-effective option after defeating Atlanta last season, but his performance has been described as inconsistent when circumstances change.
The team is expected to announce its decision early next week, possibly on Monday, with a formal statement by Tuesday morning.