The Atlanta Falcons are down to their third-string quarterback and they haven't even played a single game yet. Head coach Kevin Stefanski officially named Cooper Rush the starter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 after both Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. were ruled out.
Tagovailoa was named the starter on Monday, but he suffered an oblique injury at Thursday's practice and is now out for an undisclosed amount of time. While Penix has been cleared for contact, he still may be a week or so away from making his 2026 debut.
For these reasons, the Falcons will look to their No. 3 QB to kick off the Stefanski era in Atlanta. Rush has appeared in 42 games, going 9-7 in 16 career starts. The 32-year-old has passed for 3,766 yards, 20 touchdowns
and 14 interceptions.
Undrafted rookie quarterback Jack Strand will serve as the team's No. 2 QB on Sunday, however, Stefanski would not reveal who his emergency third quarterback would be. This has caused the Strand army to come out in full effect, while others are hoping Matt Ryan will return to save the day.
NFL world reacts to Falcons starting QB Cooper Rush
Here's how NFL fans on social media reacted to Atlanta's increasingly weird QB situation.
WHY CANT YALL BE NORMAL FOR ONCE ?!!! https://t.co/Nfe6Yyrsri
— fewtcha (@skiphoeless) September 11, 2026
I speak for all Falcons fans when I say this. We don’t want to see Rush go out there vs Steelers. Put Jack Strand in at QB 1 and see where it goes respectfully. #Dirtybirds pic.twitter.com/gFCpom1cHx
— Terry Bolden (@TwistedTorchTv) September 10, 2026
RUSH! https://t.co/GceZ6PecRd
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 11, 2026
JACK STRAND TRUTHERS STAND UP pic.twitter.com/JflzmC5NWf
— DA Dynasty (@DADynasty_) September 11, 2026
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) September 11, 2026
https://t.co/EghAIV3woq pic.twitter.com/BqEAu59aiA
— Carrie (@Carrie_ATL) September 11, 2026
https://t.co/r1pqJ1VAy5 pic.twitter.com/6FmLclnaCW
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 11, 2026
https://t.co/1uKRn9WZfN pic.twitter.com/OOHSVQugvH
— Noah Pray (@NoahPrayATL) September 11, 2026
https://t.co/QoKYkGc6xO pic.twitter.com/IV7p0aH76h
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) September 11, 2026
Lost in the Tua conversation..
— Mike Johnson (@MPJohnson79) September 11, 2026
Nobody.. and I mean NOBODY..
Knows Cooper Rush’s strengths and weaknesses as a QB better than Mike McCarthy. @929TheGame @squidbilly929 @AtlantaFalcons
In 2024, my dear Atlanta Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the 8th overall pick.
— TJ Horgan (@TJHorganTV) September 11, 2026
They also signed Kirk Cousins to a 4-year contract.
If you, in May 2024 told me the 2026 Week 1 starter is Cooper Rush I may have just given up watching football and joined the seminary
#Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski started 5 different QBs in 2023, went 11-5 and reached the playoffs. #MusicalChairs https://t.co/SQdXUueuUL
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@BowTieSportsGuy) September 11, 2026
Well, that's interesting. https://t.co/DZOxKmA36K
— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) September 11, 2026
Cooper Rush gives the Falcons a better chance to win. Would have rather the Steelers played Tua.
— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) September 11, 2026
Falcons fans I understand if you just quit. https://t.co/4p805Ryurh
— Kevín (@KevOnStage) September 11, 2026
First game of the season and my QB3 is the starter. It’s going to be a long year. https://t.co/PNcxBoZzqs pic.twitter.com/bOilgEO9J9
— Carrie (@Carrie_ATL) September 11, 2026
Siri, show me what missing the playoffs for 8 straight years looks like? https://t.co/PciZdQVIZF
— Sandra Golden (@sportsandra) September 11, 2026
Honestly I feel a little bit better now… not by much but it’s better than Tua sinking and dunking on us… If Rush can give us a decent game and the defense limits scoring we just might escape with a win… #dirtybirds https://t.co/8mvVnJ5mNK
— James Hellams (@Jamieh711) September 11, 2026
— Jason McCourty (@JasonMcCourty) September 11, 2026
Only the Falcons could sign a quarterback to a bajillion dollar contract and then also drafted one in the first round to quote “never be in quarterback hell again” only to end up with ✨Cooper Rush✨ starting week one in less than three years time https://t.co/Sp1QimHYB5
— Chris Owens (@ChrisOwens45) September 11, 2026
pic.twitter.com/Upi9UYyHhu https://t.co/5p2ZBu9PVk
— Saivion Mixson (@saivionmixson) September 11, 2026
It’s Rush time. Here’s some stats,
— Brice Lewis (@bricey_2k) September 11, 2026
Cooper is 9-7 as a starter (9-5 with the cowboys) threw 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He knows how to manage a game and run an offense. https://t.co/sjEC6GVgH6
The Falcons will need to play good defense and avoid turning the ball over to pull off the upset in Pittsburgh. Sunday's game starts at 1 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: NFL world reacts to Falcons starting Cooper Rush vs. Steelers
