The Atlanta Falcons have announced Tua Tagovailoa will start in the first preseason game of 2026.
Stefanski said the starters will play for about 10 plays/one series, but will vary based on player how much
“The Falcons will play the starters Friday against Denver. Tua Tagovailoa will start the game, but Kevin Stefanski said he is not naming him the starter for the season,” team reporter Tori McElhaney wrote on her official X account. Stefanski said the starters will play for about 10 plays/one series but will vary based on player how much more beyond that is needed.”
The Atlanta Falcons will be up against the Denver Broncos. Tua Tagovailoa gets the starting nod while being in competition with Michael Penix Jr. for the QB1 spot.
Tua Tagovailoa May Be on ‘Short Leash’
Tagovailoa entered training camp with a back injury which opened the door for Michael Penix Jr. In all honesty, both quarterbacks have issues with durability.
Health will play a huge role in who gets the starting job. Michael Penix Jr. is still not cleared to practice fully. With the season nearing, Tua Tagovailoa may have the upper hand, but can he be trusted to play a full season?
In 2025, Tua Tagovailoa played 14 games, throwing for 2,660 yards with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, finishing with a passer rating of 88.5.
Tua Tagovailoa played six seasons with the Miami Dolphins. His career has been up and down due to the injuries he has suffered including multiple concussions.
He has been vocal about competing this upcoming season.
“If there’s no competition, I don’t think anyone’s getting better, in aspect of the field of work you’re in,” Tagovailoa said in an Atlanta Falcons article. “I am excited to be able to compete against [Penix], to compete with him, to be able to get to know my teammates on a personal level, knowing them from the outside in. We have a lot of good football players on this team, so I’m excited to get to play with these guys and get the chance to throw the ball around, conversate with them. I think it’s going to be great.”
Falcons Waiting on Penix Jr. To Be Cleared
The Falcons made it clear in June that they would wait until Penix Jr. was cleared to have fair a competition. The question is: How much longer is Penix not going to practice fully?
“It’s tough having a competition when both guys aren’t competing at the same level (physically),” Van Pelt said in an Atlanta Falcons article in June. “… [Michael Penix Jr.] has done a great job of getting himself to where he is right now. Really impressed to see him take 7-on-7 reps, but really, there is no competition until we can actually evaluate them equally.”
Getting back to the playoffs would be a good start in lifting this franchise back into the right direction. Quarterback is the only position fans should have concerns about.
Both quarterbacks are making strides in a great way during training camp (in what they able to participate in). Once Michael Penix Jr. is cleared to practice fully, we will see who the better man is.
Which quarterback gives this very talented team the best chance to win?
Falcons Announce Starting Quarterback for Upcoming Preseason Game