The Atlanta Falcons lost to the Chicago Bears in Week 6 of the 2026 NFL season, but Michael Penix Jr. played well and continued to prove he's firmly locked into the starting job going forward.

But as seen in Week 5, when Penix had to come out for a little bit due to injury, Tua Tagovailoa struggled. Add in the early-season struggles from Cooper Rush and Jack Strand, and this four-player QB room is a bit questionable for Atlanta.

After Week 6, the Falcons reportedly signed Andy Dalton, the former Philadelphia Eagles QB, to their 53-man roster. To clear a 53-man roster spot, the Falcons, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, are releasing Rush, the former Dallas Cowboys QB.

Falcons to cut Cooper Rush to sign Andy Dalton

"The Falcons are releasing Cooper Rush, sources say," Rapoport reported after the Dalton news broke Monday morning.

It shouldn't be much of a surprise that the Falcons were looking to add a quarterback this season. Their backup situation behind Penix is shaky.

Tagovailoa will remain the team's QB2, but Dalton will give them a better veteran presence than Rush. In his limited playing time in 2026, Dalton threw one pass for the Eagles, which was an interception at the goal line.

But his history with the Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, and other teams over his long NFL career gives the Falcons enough confidence to make him their better third QB.

MORE: Falcons forced to use silent count at home, raising serious questions about fan support

Rush being the one the Falcons released to make room for Dalton makes perfect sense. Tagovailoa is better than Rush, and Strand has more long-term appeal as a rookie QB.

In his limited playing time for the Falcons, starting Weeks 1 and 2, Rush threw for 229 yards and one touchdown while going 22 of 39 through the air (56.4%) and throwing four interceptions.

This move shouldn't come as a surprise to Falcons fans, as Rush's struggles as a veteran QB made him the obvious cut candidate once the Dalton news came to light.

Now, the Falcons depth chart will have Penix as QB1, Tagovailoa at QB2, Dalton at QB3, and the rookie Strand as QB4 going forward for the 2-4 Falcons.

More NFL news: