The Atlanta Falcons found themselves in a bind. They had agreed to cut quarterback Kirk Cousins when the NFL’s league year started, but quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was coming off ACL surgery. There is no guarantee Penix will be ready for the 2026 season opener, especially with his injury history.
So the Falcons signed a quarterback who has starting experience and is looking for a second chance.
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Atlanta reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with Tua Tagovailoa hours after he was officially informed of his pending release by the Miami Dolphins. Tagovailoa leaves a $99 million dead cap hit for the Dolphins in his wake, and a career there that will include plenty of disappointment due in part to injuries that set back his career
He’s still a fine, low-cost signing for the Falcons on a one-year deal. Tagovailoa agreed to the veteran minimum worth $1.3 million, via NFL Media. He was owed $54 million in guaranteed money from his old team this year.
Tua Tagovailoa reportedly agreed to a one-year with the Falcons. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
(Joe Sargent via Getty Images)
Tagovailoa led the NFL with a 105.5 passer rating in 2022 and in 2023 he led the league with 4,624 passing yards. His level of play dropped significantly after he suffered multiple concussions. Last season he was benched by the Dolphins, at which point it was obvious he wouldn’t be back with Miami in 2026.
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If Tagovailoa is anything near the player he was in 2022 and 2023, the Falcons will be pleased. He could be a short-term starter while Penix recovers and then an experienced backup the rest of the season, or he could play well enough early on to hold on to the starting job deep into next season. It’s not like Penix is a sure thing for Atlanta.
If Tagovailoa can’t rebound from his slide of the past couple seasons, the Falcons aren’t paying much to find out. And perhaps Tagovailoa will be another positive reclamation story at quarterback in his second NFL home.
Grade: B