The Atlanta Falcons have named Tua Tagovailoa as their starting quarterback for the upcoming season, making him the lowest-paid signal-caller holding that position across the entire NFL. Tagovailoa agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.215 million during the offseason. The decision comes after the team delayed announcing its starter deeper into the preseason than most franchises, as Tagovailoa competed with Michael Penix Jr., who continues his recovery from an ACL injury suffered during the previous season.
The financial disparity is striking given Tagovailoa’s recent history. Just two years prior, he had signed a four-year, $212 million extension with the Miami Dolphins following an impressive campaign in which he threw for over 4,600 yards and 29 touchdown passes. That contract ranked as the third-largest by average annual value in the league at the time. The Dolphins continue to manage the financial aftermath of that agreement, making Tagovailoa’s current modest compensation a dramatic reversal of fortune.
With Penix still unavailable, the Falcons have retained four quarterbacks on their roster, including former Dallas backup Cooper Rush and undrafted rookie Jack Strand from Minnesota State-Moorhead. Rush earned only $1.075 million on his cap figure. Tagovailoa faces considerable pressure to perform immediately, as his roster spot may become uncertain once Penix completes his rehabilitation and becomes available for competition.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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