Analyst outlines clear Falcons path for Tua Tagovailoa

New Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has made it clear he isn't coming to the NFC South to be a backup. He's coming to be the starter.

With Michael Penix Jr. not showing a great deal last season before injury ended his year, there is a real thought that Tua will overtake him for the starting role in Kevin Stefanski's team.

Granted, Tua will get a good chunk of the early offseason reps as Penix recovers from his injury, and that could be all Tua needs.

For NFL.com's Jeffri Chadiha, Tua could be the next Sam Darnold for the Falcons.

"Tagovailoa's career in Miami was so up and down and filled with health problems that it's easy to forget how good he looked when he was on," Chadiha wrote.

"Penix hasn't shown enough consistency to cement himself as the starter, and he's also recovering from a torn ACL. That gives Tagovailoa a great opportunity to resurrect his career after last season ended with former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel benching him for the final three weeks."

More: Chiefs reveal Christmas Day wish for 2026

Tua set for career revival?

That's what he and the Falcons hope, right?

Yes, in an ideal world, Penix would be head and shoulders above Tua, and Atlanta would have its quarterback for the next decade.

But that doesn't feel like how this is going to play out. Tua will get reps in the offseason, and if he shows promise, Atlanta might hand him the keys.

If it does that, and Tua's form translates onto the field and the Falcons start winning, Penix will be relegated to the role of backup.

Atlanta brought Tua in for a reason. Now we will see how this whole scenario plays out.

More NFL news:

• Aaron Glenn describes Jets' offseason with 1 eyebrow-raising word
• Vikings QB predicted to follow Super Bowl champion path
• Browns' Todd Monken outlines intriguing QB plan
• Giants open to bringing back Super Bowl-winning WR
• ESPN drops brutal reality check for Colts' Anthony Richardson
• Analyst offers superb Steelers Aaron Rodgers backup plan
• Packers oddly named as landing spot for 4-time Pro Bowl QB