Falcons starting Tua Tagovailoa — not Michael Penix Jr. — against Steelers
NFL notes
Trending
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Tua Tagovailoa was selected as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced Monday.
The decision comes after Tagovailoa's monthslong competition with Michael Penix Jr., who started nine games for the Falcons in 2025 before suffering a season-ending torn ACL in November.
Coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Cooper Rush will back up Tagovailoa and Penix will be inactive. He declined to speculate on who the team might start at QB beyond Week 1.
Tagovailoa received more reps throughout training camp. Penix was cleared for 11-on-11 drills on Aug. 22, but did not appear in any preseason games for the Falcons.
"Of course, Mike just getting back to 11-on-11, wanted to make sure we gave him an opportunity in these practices, and we did," Stefanski said Monday. "But feel strongly about our decision with everything, all the information available to us."
Penix said Monday that Stefanski met with both quarterbacks when selecting the Week 1 starter. Penix alluded to not feeling quite ready yet, but he said he's "really close."
"I want to be stronger. I want to be able to go out there and give the team 100%, and if I don't feel like I can do that, I don't want to," Penix said. "That's not fair for this team. That's not fair for this organization. I want to make sure whenever I am out there, I'm 100%. There's no doubt in my mind that I trust my knee."
Tagovailoa started the Falcons' first and final preseason games, splitting time with Strand and Rush. He was 7 of 8 for 95 yards in three drives against his former team, the Miami Dolphins, in Atlanta's third exhibition. He led an eight-play, 60-yard touchdown drive in Atlanta's opening drive and lost a fumble in his second. The Falcons beat the Dolphins 17-12.
Tagovailoa signed a one-year deal with the Falcons in March following a six-year stint with the Dolphins.
Elsewhere:
-- The New York Giants released wide receiver Darius Slayton on Monday, moving on from the organization's longest-tenured player in a transaction roughly a week before the season opener.
-- Dallas Cowboys left guard Tyler Smith will miss at least the first month of the season because of a left thumb injury that needs surgery.