Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham made it loud and clear what the plan was now that the team has Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa in the quarterback room.
While speaking to the media via Zoom on March 13, Cunningham said it would be an open competition for the starting quarterback job in 2026, just like every other position on the roster.
“We’re not in the business of really handing out starting positions in February and March, the same, right? For Tua coming in here, he knows he’s coming in to compete, just like Michael (Penix Jr.) knows that he’s coming in to compete,” Cunningham said. “Everybody, quite frankly, not just those two at the quarterback position, but everybody’s coming in to compete. There’s no starters right now. We’re excited to have Tua, but we’re excited to have all the players that we were able to get this free agent class.”
After making his signing official, Tagovailoa spoke about the competition with Penix and how he hopes joining the Falcons will serve as a reset for him.
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Tua Tagovailoa Welcomes Competition With Michael Penix Jr.
Tagovailoa said he is looking forward to competing against — and alongside — Penix and the rest of his Falcons teammates, according to the team’s website.
“If there’s no competition, I don’t think anyone’s getting better, in aspect of the field of work you’re in,” Tagovailoa said. “I am excited to be able to compete against (Penix), to compete with him, to be able to get to know my teammates on a personal level, knowing them from the outside in. We have a lot of good football players on this team, so I’m excited to get to play with these guys and get the chance to throw the ball around, conversate with them. I think it’s going to be great.”
Tagovailoa has been earning starts since his rookie season, when he made nine with the Miami Dolphins. Over his six-year career, he has made 76 starts, going 44-32.
That type of experience — along with Penix’s recovery from ACL surgery he had in November — could give Tagovailoa the early edge entering the competition. Penix, entering his third NFL season, has just 12 starts on his résumé, going 4-8.
“Based off of what happened last year, I knew I needed to play better, but I think this is a great opportunity to be able to come here and get a good reset,” Tagovailoa said. “I want to thank the Blank family. I want to thank Arthur (Blank). I want to thank Coach (Kevin) Stefanski. I want to thank the organization for allowing me this opportunity. I am excited.”
Falcons Avoid Another Kirk Cousins-Type Situation
Neither Tagovailoa nor Penix had seasons to remember in 2025. Both battled injuries and couldn’t help their teams produce enough wins to make the playoffs, which ultimately led to coaching changes for each franchise.
This is the second time Penix will be involved in a quarterback competition in Atlanta, the previous one coming against Kirk Cousins, who was recently released by the team.
At least this time, the Falcons won’t be handcuffed by a bloated contract like they were with Cousins. The veteran quarterback had signed a four-year, $180 million deal that Atlanta ultimately had to restructure just to move on from him.
Tagovailoa, on the other hand, arrives on a team-friendly, league-minimum contract thanks to the Dolphins still paying him $54 million following his release this offseason.
Shane Shoemaker Shane Shoemaker is a sports journalist covering college football and the NFL for Heavy.com. His work has also appeared in The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, USA TODAY, and ClutchPoints, along with high school sports coverage for the Marion Tribune. More about Shane Shoemaker
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