In an unexpected turn of events, Tua Tagovailoa is getting another chance to open the season as an NFL starter less than one year after parting ways with the Miami Dolphins.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski revealed on Monday that Tagovailoa will be the Week 1 starter for the franchise when they take the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Cooper Rush serving as the team's backup at the position. Michael Penix Jr. will be inactive, as he is not physically ready to play.
Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski told reporters today that Tua Tagovailoa will be the starter, Cooper Rush will be the backup, and Michael Penix will be inactive Sunday. Penix is not physically ready. pic.twitter.com/z0q7oMihL8
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 7, 2026
The news comes after Tagovailoa started
Atlanta's final preseason game against his former team, with the Falcons earning a victory over the Dolphins to close the preseason. Tagovailoa went 7-for-8 for 95 yards in that performance before handing the offense over to Rush. Earlier in the preseason, Tagovailoa went 3-for-5 for 22 yards in his only other appearance.
Tagovailoa was let go by the Dolphins this past offseason after the organization fired former head coach Mike McDaniel. Tagovailoa has played six seasons in the league, all for the Dolphins. During his tenure with the franchise, he started 76 games for the Dolphins. He found mixed success in that role, going 44-32 and helping lead the team to the postseason in back-to-back years in 2022 and 2023 – though an injury sidelined him during the end of the 2022 season.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Kevin Stefanski delivers update on Falcons QB room
