Falcons have 'strong' chance of cutting Tua Tagovailoa if one thing happens

The Atlanta Falcons are entering the 2026 NFL season with a ton of question marks at the quarterback position. Michael Penix Jr. is still banged up and not 100%, and Tua Tagovailoa recently sustained an oblique injury in practice and isn't 100% either.

Cooper Rush is their normal third-string QB, but might be thrust into starting in Week 1. Jack Strand, more of a project QB, might see legitimate playing time early this season. But, going back to Tagovailoa, there is a lot of uncertainty about his Falcons' future.

According to Mike Florio for Pro Football Talk, the Falcons reportedly have a "strong" chance of cutting Tagovailoa if one simple thing happens: Tagovailoa is benched.

Falcons have 'strong' chance of cutting Tua Tagovailoa if he's benched

"Sources close to me said Tua gets benched, that's it for Tua in Atlanta," Florio said. "I'm not saying it's definitely going to happen. It's a strong possibility when he gets benched."

The Falcons cutting ties with Tagovailoa would not be a surprise at all this season. He's under contract on a veteran minimum deal, and the Falcons can cut him without much problem.

Of course, as things stand right now, Tagovailoa is their starter. That might change with his new oblique injury. But even if he's not the Week 1 starter, for now, he's likely to keep his roster spot.

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But once Penix is healthy, the Falcons will have no reason to hold onto Tagovailoa. He'd slide to the backup QB spot for the Falcons.

Considering how he's fared this preseason and training camp, the Falcons are probably more than okay letting him go and sticking with Penix, Rush, and Strand as their quarterbacks.

Of course, it would take a healthy Penix to lead the Falcons to bench him and then release the former Miami Dolphins quarterback.

Florio is reporting there is a "strong" chance the Falcons release Tagovailoa if he's benched. Holding four QBs wouldn't make sense if Penix is healthy, and Tagovailoa is the obvious odd man out in this QB room.

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