New Falcons president of football Matt Ryan already has his hands full entering his first season in the role.
Ryan, along with new general manager Ian Cunningham and new head coach Kevin Stefanski, barely had time to settle into their offices before being forced to deal with both off-field and on-field issues.
All three were blindsided by the news of rookie edge rusher James Pearce Jr.’s arrest, which involves five pending felony charges.
While much of that situation remains outside their control, what will fall squarely on the new regime is the quarterback decision for 2026 — and that won’t be simple either.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently reported the Falcons are expected to release veteran Kirk Cousins before the start of the new league year. That would leave at least a backup role open — and possibly much more than that.
There’s real uncertainty surrounding Michael Penix Jr.’s recovery from the torn ACL he suffered in November. Penix has expressed confidence he’ll be ready by Week 1, but that’s an aggressive timeline and not something Atlanta can fully bank on.
Which means the Falcons could very well be active in free agency searching for Cousins’ replacement.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa Named as Possible Falcons Target
The 2026 offseason is shaping up to be one of the more fascinating quarterback markets in recent memory. Several former starters are projected to be released, potentially creating a wide-open free agency period.
In addition to Cousins, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is another name being floated as a possible cap casualty.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton predicts Tagovailoa could land in Atlanta if Cousins is indeed released.
“Like Penix, Tua Tagovailoa is a left-handed quarterback. So, the Falcons’ pass-catchers wouldn’t have to adjust in a transition between a left-handed starter and a right-handed backup,” Moton wrote.
“More importantly, Tagovailoa could keep the offense steady if Penix continues to struggle with injuries or take over the unit if the Falcons move on from their 2024 first-rounder.”
Michael Penix Jr.’s Injury Clouds Falcons’ Long-Term Plan
So much of Atlanta’s future hinges on Penix — not just in 2026, but beyond.
The Falcons took a significant gamble selecting him No. 8 overall in 2024 despite already committing major money to Cousins. The expectation was clear: Penix was the long-term answer.
But injuries have complicated that plan.
If the front office harbors lingering concerns about Penix’s durability, pursuing a veteran like Tagovailoa — who has already proven capable of playoff-level production — could make sense.
“Tagovailoa helped guide the Dolphins to the playoffs in 2022 and 2023, leading the league in passer rating (105.5) and passing yards (4,624) in those campaigns, respectively. As of today, he’s a better quarterback than Penix and would give the Falcons a shot at the postseason in a division that didn’t have a team above .500 in 2025,” Moton continued.
“If Penix isn’t the Falcons’ Week 1 starter because of his recovery process or a team decision, Tagovailoa could run away with the job in a fresh start.”
If that scenario unfolds, it could quickly turn into Penix vs. Cousins 2.0 — only this time with Tagovailoa in the mix.
Free Agent QB With Playoff Experience Viewed as Falcons’ Upgrade Over Michael Penix Jr.