Falcons Quarterback Battle Gets Interesting Wrinkle Ahead Of Minicamp
The Atlanta Falcons have an interesting quarterback battle ahead of training camp.
Atlanta kicks off a three-day mandatory minicamp on June 16, and one of the biggest questions the Falcons are facing is who will be the team's starting quarterback.
The Falcons have former first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. in the competition, while Atlanta also signed veteran quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this offseason to compete for the job.
Although the Falcons selected Penix eighth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Atlanta appears to be trending towards Tagovailoa, at least as minicamp begins, according to ESPN's Marc Raimondi.
"Tagovailoa has been able to do everything, and Stefanski is on record saying he believes accuracy is the most important trait for a quarterback, something Tagovailoa historically has had in abundance," Raimondi wrote in an article published on June 15. "None of this means Tagovailoa will for sure win the job, especially if Penix impresses in training camp. But Tagovailoa might have something of a head start in this new offense."
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Penix did tear his ACL last November, which is why Tagovailoa is getting some early reps and appears to have a head start.
Meanwhile, the Falcons hired Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach this offseason, so he has no ties to either quarterback. So, the reps in practice and training camp will be key to deciding who wins the starting job, and it appears Tagovailoa could be the frontrunner to win the job.
Tua Tagovailoa Wants To Help Michael Penix Jr.
Although Tagovailoa is competing with Penix for the Falcons' starting quarterback job, the veteran does want to be a mentor for the young quarterback.
"I'm going to do whatever I can to help him with what he needs for his game," Tagovailoa said of Penix after signing.
However, Tagovailoa said that despite wanting to help Penix, he still wants to win the starting job and believes his best football is still ahead of him.
"You don't choose a team based on whether you're going to be starting or not," Tagovailoa said on March 24. "I knew I was going to be competing regardless. ... "Last year, my play wasn't up to the standard of how I was playing football the three years [before]. Gotta play better football. No way to sugarcoat that. I think the best football is still ahead of me."
Tagovailoa started six years for the Miami Dolphins after being selected fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, after another injury-filled and disappointing season, the Dolphins released the veteran quarterback this offseason after signing him to a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension, and took on an NFL record $99.2 million in dead money.
With the Falcons, Tagovailoa signed a one-year, $1.215 million deal as he looks to win the starting job and prove he still can be a solid NFL quarterback.
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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 7:07 PM.