The Atlanta Falcons made a splash on Tuesday morning, signing veteran edge rusher Za'Darius Smith to a one-year contract in an attempt to bolster their depleted pass rush. While Smith is no longer in his prime, the three-time Pro Bowler should give Atlanta's defense a major boost.
In today's Falcons Wire Recap, the team officially finds a James Pearce replacement, CBS Sports puts Tua Tagovailoa in the hot seat, Kevin Stefanski praises rookie quarterback Jack Strand, and we examine the team's latest depth chart and lineup projections.
Falcons sign Pro Bowl EDGE Za'Darius Smith
The Falcons signed veteran edge rusher Za'Darius Smith to a one-year, $6 million contract that could be worth up to $8 million with incentives. After losing Jalon Walker for the season and James Pearce Jr. to an eight-game
suspension, the Falcons desperately needed some help along the edge.
Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler, has recorded 343 tackles (223 solo), 70.5 career sacks and 176 QB hits since entering the league as a fourth-round pick with the Baltimore Ravens in 2015. He won't fix all of the team's pass-rushing woes, but it's a start.
NFL world reacts to Falcons signing veteran EDGE Za'Darius Smith
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 18, 2026
📸 USA TODAY Sports Images https://t.co/1jrxLQrSRl pic.twitter.com/eMSla6ggyt
Falcons QB on the hot seat after 1 game?
Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's debut was underwhelming to say the least. The worst of it was Tagovailoa's refusal to throw the ball downfield - or even past the line of scrimmage. When he came off the field his average per attempt was somehow less than one yard.
Heading into the second week of the preseason, Tagovailoa has been named the one player on the Falcons who's on the hot seat by Zachary Pereles at CBS Sports:
"The bridge/maybe more(?) quarterback train chugs on from Minnesota to Atlanta, where Tua Tagovailoa seemed to be the leader in the clubhouse over Michael Penix Jr., if only because Penix still isn't taking part in full team drills... Then Tagovailoa had an uninspiring preseason Week 1 -- "definitely not up to standard," he said -- and he's already in the hot seat as the presumed starter. Not great."
Tua will have to bounce back in the third preseason game since Atlanta will not play its starters this Saturday against the Colts.
Falcons QB on hot seat after just 1 preseason game
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 18, 2026
📸 Brett Davis, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/KTLKdgDGvP pic.twitter.com/j95KdP3POG
Stefanski praises rookie QB Jack Strand
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski liked what he saw from undrafted rookie QB Jack Strand in his NFL debut over the weekend. Here's what Stefanski had to say about it, per Josh Kendall at The Athletic:
“Always room for improvement, but proud of him for his first time out there... It’s a testament to him and what he was able to do early in camp when he was the one guy standing there. Like any rookie, (there’s) so much to work on. And that’s the fun part of working with our rookies. Jack’s got a great attitude. Love how he is in the meeting rooms, love how he is on the grass.”
Strand went 6/12 for 50 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, one sack and a 61.1 passer rating. That's generally not the kind of performance that gets you a pat on the back from your head coach, but it was by far the best that the Falcons got on Friday night.
Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski impressed by UDFA QB Jack Strand's NFL debut
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 18, 2026
📸 Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/rHbmaMtX9v pic.twitter.com/y00iXUXR1V
Falcons release new depth chart
The Falcons released their latest depth chart on Tuesday, which contained a few minor changes. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor was bumped up from fourth to first-string now that he returned from the PUP list. Taylor won't play in Saturday's preseason game, along with the rest of the starters, but he's on pace to start Week 1 of the regular season.
As for edge Za'Darius Smith, he was listed as the fifth-string defensive end. Michael Penix Jr. was still listed at the bottom of the QB depth chart due to his injury. Once he is healthy, though, Penix could potentially unseat Tua Tagovailoa as QB1. Neither QB will play against the Colts, so look for Jack Strand or Cooper Rush to start.
Falcons release new depth chart ahead of preseason game vs. Colts
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 18, 2026
📸 (USA TODAY Sports Images) https://t.co/qIO6psYPKI pic.twitter.com/taFsqkeD2z
Falcons starting lineup: Za'Darius Smith to start Week 1
While Za'Darius Smith was not listed as a starter on the team's latest depth chart, we predict he will be in Atlanta's Week 1 starting lineup. We also have rookie Avieon Terrell starting at the nickel. Check out the full defensive starting lineup projection below.
- DE/EDGE: Za'Darius Smith
- DL: Brandon Dorlus
- DT: Maason Smith
- DL: Zach Harrison
- DE/EDGE: Samson Ebukam
- ILB: Divine Deablo
- ILB: Christian Harris
- CB: A.J. Terrell
- CB: Mike Hughes
- NB: Avieon Terrell
- S: Xavier Watts
- S: Jessie Bates III
Projecting the Falcons' starting defense with EDGE Za'Darius Smith
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) August 18, 2026
📸 Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect https://t.co/xjVXBW4UPo pic.twitter.com/FvAFWKTFcv
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons Recap: New starting EDGE, Tua Tagovailoa on hot seat?
