Falcons GM makes stunning statement on QB battle

When the Atlanta Falcons signed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in free agency, some thought the NFC franchise had signed its starter.

With Michael Penix Jr. still recovering from an ACL, the thought was that Tua would get the inside track at the starting role, given that Penix Jr's recovery could take him into the 2026 season.

But if Tua had signed with the Falcons in the hope that he would get the starting role, and in return, get a chance to establish himself in the league with no pushback, well, he's wrong.

Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham has made it clear that nothing will be given this offseason.

It all has to be earned.

"For Tua, coming in here, he knows he's coming in to compete, just like Michael knows that he's coming in to compete," Cunningham said via NFL.com. "Everybody, quite frankly, not just those two at the quarterback position, but everybody is 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."

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Tua's reset won't be easy

It appears that if Tua is to start again in the NFL, he's going to have to earn it and beat out Penix.

Will he? That is up for debate.

But there is another thread to pull here. What if he doesn't beat out Penix? And is the backup. That isn't ideal for a player who will clearly see himself as an NFL starter.

Either way, the next six months are going to be an interesting watch for Tua and the Falcons.

Who will be their starting quarterback for 2026?

Your guess is as good as mine.

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