Atlanta Falcons name Tua Tagovailoa starting quarterback for Week 1

The Atlanta Falcons have named Tua Tagovailoa their starting quarterback for the 2026 season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, ending a months-long competition with Michael Penix Jr. The decision, announced Monday, gives Tagovailoa the opportunity to open his first season with Atlanta as the team's sixth different Week 1 starter in six seasons. Tagovailoa, 28, signed a one-year contract with the Falcons in March after spending six seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He received the majority of Atlanta's full-team repetitions during training camp and started the team's first and final preseason games. In the finale against Miami, Tagovailoa completed 7 of 8 passes for 95 yards and helped lead an eight-play, 60-yard touchdown drive as Atlanta won 17-12. Penix, Atlanta's 2025 starter, will be inactive Sunday as he continues his recovery from a torn ACL suffered last November. He was not cleared for 11-on-11 work until Aug. 22 and did not play in any preseason games. Coach Kevin Stefanski said veteran Cooper Rush will serve as Tagovailoa's backup, while declining to discuss whether the Week 1 decision will determine the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. The matchup also gives Tagovailoa a notable return to Pittsburgh, where his final start for Miami came last December before he was benched following a 28-15 loss to the Steelers. Tagovailoa enters Atlanta's offense with an extensive NFL résumé, including a 2023 season in which he led the league with 4,624 passing yards and earned a Pro Bowl selection. Atlanta will face Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 13, with Tagovailoa taking the first snap as the Falcons begin a new season under Stefanski. Editorial credit: Ringo Chiu / Shutterstock.com