The Atlanta Falcons have named Tua Tagovailoa their starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the QB controversy isn't going anywhere. It will be the sixth consecutive season that the Falcons roll out a different Week 1 starter at the NFL's most-prized position.
Tagovailoa completed 10 of 13 pass attempts for 117 yards over two preseason games, and while he hasn't exactly impressed in training camp, the veteran QB will look to redeem himself after losing his starting job with the Miami Dolphins last season.
Atlanta's decision to wait until a few days before the season opener to declare Tagovailoa the starter did not inspire much confidence from the fan base, though.
While it made sense to have an open competition,
the fact that Tagovailoa wasn't initially named the starter even though Penix was only recently cleared for contact made fans question the team's decision.
Here's how fans on social media reacted to Atlanta's QB1 announcement on Monday morning.
NFL world reacts to Falcons starting Tua Tagovailoa
β Zachariah Branch My Goat (@BranchRoutes1) September 7, 2026
Falcons Week 1 starting QB by season:
β Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 7, 2026
π2021: Matt Ryan
π2022: Marcus Mariota
π2023: Desmond Ridder
π2024: Kirk Cousins
π2025: Michael Penix Jr.
π2026: Tua Tagovailoa pic.twitter.com/snYjzhIcGO
While Tua Tagovailoa was named the starter, it does seem like Michael Penix Jr. wasnβt viewed as 1000% ready to start just yet.
β Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 7, 2026
Tua will have to play well to keep the job, because Penix could be ready to go soon. https://t.co/YGKcCIsBOL pic.twitter.com/xosQkbhb98
We are not a serious franchise https://t.co/2H1Y1JPggu
β Ryan McCrary (@TheRyanMcCrary) September 7, 2026
Congrats to Tua on winning a one man QB competition. https://t.co/WJzAYVxbzj
β Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) September 7, 2026
Michael Penix / his team were transparent with Falcons on not rushing his timeline to play Week 1. Penix been thru a lot injury wise.
β Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) September 7, 2026
Penix never viewed this summer in lens of QB battle. All about his health + readiness to play loose & free. Penix time will come this season: https://t.co/iN6DnVvnwk
βWeek 1 starting quarterbackβ https://t.co/wQWgG7IOkv
β Antwan V. Staley (@antwanstaley) September 7, 2026
Me waiting on all the people who fussed at me and told me Penix was going to be the starter. pic.twitter.com/vIdy0IqbFi
β Carl Dukes (@putemupcdukes) September 7, 2026
Welp! There you have it! We ride! I hope Stefanski has one hell of a game plan against Pittsburgh. Heβs played them enough when in Cleveland. I do have a feeling that Bijan and Pitts will have big days regardless. https://t.co/FUd7N2IQwC
β Ev Glaze (@Everett_G07) September 7, 2026
Tua doesnβt give me hope in the slightest
β β‘π»π£πππ ππ πππ π π½ππβ‘οΈ (@RyanforSeven) September 7, 2026
On the @AtlantaFalcons situation, Michael Penix has been fully cleared. So he'd be good to dress for Week 1. But he's still working his way back from the injury, so Atlanta's being careful here.
β Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 7, 2026
This isn't Tua Tagovailoa beating him out. Moreso, it's about Penix's readiness.
Welcome to Atlanta my boy pic.twitter.com/32jFEbXcGn
β 2dirtybirds (@dirtybirds01) September 7, 2026
Well, hope he nails this chance! Letβs go. https://t.co/rBilJFEpke
β John Fricke (@JohnFricke) September 7, 2026
I hope Iβm wrong. But for now.. https://t.co/YELi7vQ1hQ pic.twitter.com/UPEV5cEmRh
β James βMajorβ Woodall, Sr. (@iMajorWish) September 7, 2026
https://t.co/h5eF8Zo0V5 pic.twitter.com/wBoFJHIE0Z
β JazzyJeffRealTalk (@JazzyJeffRealT1) September 7, 2026
Let's Go Tua #Falcons #RiseUp https://t.co/9hut1B9arL
β JuTalkSports (@JuTalkSports) September 7, 2026
Tua has won the competition!*
β Relle da 5β5β (@BeForRelle) September 7, 2026
*Heβs the only QB in the competition who played any preseason games**
**The fact that it took them this long to announce heβs starting is alarming https://t.co/W22SvnM40L
β brady (@burgermanders) September 7, 2026
The former Pro Bowl QB is one of the more accurate passers in the NFL when he has time in the pocket, however, he will have to occasionally push the ball down the field for Atlanta to have a chance. Sunday's game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: NFL world reacts to Falcons naming Tua Tagovailoa Week 1 starter
