The Atlanta Falcons have announced that Tua Tagovailoa, a former Alabama quarterback, will serve as the team’s starting signal-caller for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season. The decision was made official on Monday, with Tagovailoa selected over Michael Penix Jr., who is currently dealing with an injury and will be inactive for the team’s opening matchup.
Tagovailoa is beginning his first year with the Falcons after joining the organization as a free agent during the offseason. The veteran quarterback spent six seasons with the Miami Dolphins prior to the move, accumulating more than 18,000 passing yards and 120 touchdowns between 2020 and 2025, earning one Pro Bowl selection during his tenure in Miami. He was originally selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of the University of Alabama, where he played from 2017 to 2019.
The Falcons will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in their season opener this Sunday on September 13, with the game broadcast on FOX. Cooper Rush is expected to back up Tagovailoa on the depth chart. Atlanta’s coaching staff features offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who previously held a similar role at Alabama under legendary head coach Nick Saban in 2023, creating a reunion of sorts for the former Crimson Tide connections.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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