Falcons QB depth chart: What Tua Tagovailoa signing means for Michael Penix Jr.'s status as Atlanta starter

It didn't take too long for Tua Tagovailoa to find a new home after his Miami Dolphins exit.

The former No. 5 overall pick is signing a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, per Adam Schefter, as he's set to play his seventh NFL season as a veteran in the NFC South. After his planned release from Miami was announced, reports have indicated the Falcons were making a significant push for Tagovailoa, and the pairing is now headed toward becoming official.

Tagovailoa, 28, brings an intriguing blend of skills and veteran experience to the Falcons, but the move also puts some added pressure on their current quarterback, Michael Penix Jr. With two left-handed passers in their quarterback room, Atlanta appears destined for some competition at the position in 2026.

Here's how the Tagovailoa signing will impact Penix and the Falcons' offense this coming season.

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Falcons QB depth chart 

1. Michael Penix Jr.

For now, there shouldn't be an expectation that the Falcons will relegate Penix to a backup role. Until new head coach Kevin Stefanski says otherwise, Penix should be expected to start at quarterback for the 2026 Falcons, once he's fully recovered from his partially torn ACL suffered last season.

However, that being said, the Tagovailoa signing absolutely puts more pressure on the 25-year-old to better his performance moving forward. Penix was drafted with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, a decision that raised some eyebrows after Atlanta had already signed Kirk Cousins that offseason. Once Cousins began struggling, it was Penix's time as QB1, but he has yet to prove he can be a star in the NFL as anticipated.

Penix had 775 yards, a 58.1% completion rate, three touchdowns and three interceptions over five games in 2024, then 1,982 yards, a 60.1% completion rate, nine touchdowns and three interceptions over nine games in 2025. He looked better in Year 2 than in Year 1, but he also didn't scream "franchise quarterback," clearly needing more steps to take for the Falcons to contend for the playoffs.

Atlanta has committed to Penix, so it's unlikely he's being moved to the bench already. But with Cousins departing this offseason, the Falcons now have another legitimate, starter-level option to turn to if Penix isn't showing signs of growth.

2. Tua Tagovailoa

Tagovailoa brings six years worth of NFL starting experience to Atlanta, where he can be valuable in multiple ways. If he's a backup, Tagovailoa will be one of the league's best. While he did have a rough 2025 season, throwing 15 interceptions, the former Alabama star did have a 72.0% completion percentage and 101.4 rating as recently as 2024.

If Tagovailoa gets starting reps for the Falcons — it's certainly possible Stefanski entertains a quarterback competition this summer — then there will be some pressure for him to perform within a talented offense. While the fit is definitely there, from the left-handed passer aspect and a group of weapons that can complement his weaknesses well, one more bad season from Tagovailoa could be detrimental to his NFL future, also considering his injury history.

It's easy to see why Tagovailoa had interest in joining the Falcons. There's a path to a starting job on a solid NFC squad, should he impress in training camp, and playing in a dome should help alleviate any of his past "cold weather" concerns. Add in the fact that he'll be in an offense already tailored toward a lefty quarterback with Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and Drake London, and there's potential for Tagovailoa to succeed in Atlanta.

While the Falcons are bringing in Tagovailoa as a likely backup for now, don't be surprised if he winds up seeing the field in 2026.

3. Easton Stick

The other quarterback currently on the Falcons' roster is former Chargers fifth-round pick Easton Stick.

With Tagovailoa in the fold, Stick remains an emergency third option for the Falcons. He hasn't seen NFL snaps since 2023, when he had 1,129 yards in five games for Los Angeles.