Falcons hand Week 1 quarterback role to Tua Tagovailoa
Atlanta will start Tagovailoa against Pittsburgh, with Michael Penix Jr. inactive and Cooper Rush as backup.
The Atlanta Falcons have named Tua Tagovailoa their starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, ending a months-long competition with Michael Penix Jr.
Coach Kevin Stefanski said Penix will be inactive and Cooper Rush will serve as Tagovailoa’s backup. Stefanski declined to identify Atlanta’s starter beyond the opening game, leaving the longer-term position unresolved.
Fox Sports reported that Tagovailoa received more valuable repetitions during training camp and started the Falcons’ first and final pre-season games. Penix was cleared for 11-on-11 training on 22 August but did not play in the pre-season.
Penix started nine games for Atlanta in 2025 before suffering a season-ending torn ACL in November. Tagovailoa joined the Falcons on a one-year deal in March after six seasons with the Miami Dolphins.
Tagovailoa’s first start for Atlanta will come in Pittsburgh, where he last started for Miami before being benched in December.
