Tua Tagovailoa reveals ideal mentality ahead of Falcons' QB battle

Life comes at you fast in the NFL, and for new Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, he's gone from an NFL starter to being in a fight for that same position.

After being released by the Miami Dolphins, Tua comes to Atlanta, where he will "fight" with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job.

Tua will get the inside track early, due to Penix Jr.'s ACL injury, which will see him still recovering in the early stages of the offseason.

But Tua has revealed the perfect mentality as he approaches going from being a certain starter to a player fighting for reps.

"I don't think the mindset changes at all. Doesn't change," Tagovailoa said via NFL.com. "You either love competition, you're a competitor or you're not. You don't just go from being a competitor to let me just relax a little bit. I just don't think that's how it works.

"You're either a competitor or you're not. So I embrace the competition. I'm excited to work alongside, with Mike, and I'm excited to work with the team, with the guys, and I think it's gonna be fun this year."

More: Steelers' Mike McCarthy coy on Aaron Rodgers future

Tua up for the fight

In truth, you'd expect nothing less, right?

Yes, his time in Miami ended poorly, but that doesn't mean Tua won't go quietly into that goodnight in Atlanta. He's ready to become the starter, and he's willing to do anything to make it happen.

If it means he has to squash the starting dreams of Penix Jr., then so be it.

Tua's career needs to be revitalized, and who knows, Atlanta might be the place he does it. We have seen Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield have their careers enhanced after a move.

Maybe Tua is the next in line.

More NFL news:

• Bills urged to trade for stud defensive tackle for Super Bowl tilt
• Patriots' $70 million WR has landed in perfect spot claims analyst
• Shocking stat reveals why Broncos a prime regression candidate in 2026
• Commanders continue to be linked with star WR in free agency
• Ravens' reason for hope down to 1 key player 
• Analyst has high hopes for 2026 Chiefs thanks to 1 free agency signing
• Analyst reveals favorite Chiefs move of offseason