Falcons name Tua Tagovailoa starting QB

The Atlanta Falcons have named veteran quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as their starting signal-caller for the upcoming Week 1 regular season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, September 13, 2026. The franchise announced the decision Monday morning, concluding one of the league's most closely watched quarterback competitions. Tagovailoa, who joined the Falcons earlier this year after being released by the Miami Dolphins, will lead an offense that features a stable of young, talented playmakers including wide receiver Drake London, running back Bijan Robinson, and tight end Kyle Pitts, all of whom have secured contract extensions this offseason. The move brings clarity to the Falcons' quarterback situation after a period of flux. The decision comes as Michael Penix Jr., who began the 2025 season as the starter, continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered in Week 11 of the 2025 season. While Penix Jr. has recently returned to full team drills, he is expected to serve as the primary backup to begin the campaign. Head coach Kevin Stefanski indicated that the team did not want to rush Penix Jr.'s return.