The Atlanta Falcons have officially announced that former Alabama Crimson Tide standout Tua Tagovailoa has been named the team's starting quarterback for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
Atlanta made the announcement
Sunday on social media, with Tagovailoa getting the Week 1 start over Jack Strand, Cooper Rush, and Michael Penix Jr., the team's returning starter from last season who is recovering from an injury.Tagovailoa is entering his first season with the Falcons after signing with Atlanta as a free agent over the offseason. The former first round pick spend the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins, throwing for over 18,000+ yards and 120 touchdowns from 2020-25 with one Pro Bowl selection.
At Alabama from 2017-19, Tagovailoa
now takes over a Falcons offense that is led by a new offensive coordinator in Tommy Rees. Rees also has ties to the Crimson Tide, serving as Alabama's offensive coordinator in 2023 under then head coach Nick Saban.
The Falcons are set to begin the 2026 season this Sunday, Sept. 13, on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers live on FOX. Tagovailoa is one of multiple former Alabama players on the Falcons' roster entering the season, joined by running back Brian Robinson Jr., defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand, linebacker Christian Harris, and safety DeMarcco Hellams.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Former Alabama quarterback named starter for NFL team in Week 1
