The Atlanta Falcons have named quarterback Tua Tagovailoa the starter for Sunday's season-opening matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While the former top-five pick will get the nod in Week 1, Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski was unwilling to declare a season-long starter.
That means Tagovailoa will need to perform well enough to fend off Michael Penix Jr., who won't be active on Sunday. Atlanta's current QB1 had a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
"It's very refreshing," Tagovailoa said of being named the starting QB for Week 1. "It's a blessing. That's the best way I can describe the position I'm in."
When asked about expectations, Tua said he was simply focused on winning. The Falcons QB also said he was more concerned about proving
to himself that he could still play at a high level more so than proving his doubters wrong.
"The expectation that I put on myself is to go out there and score one more point than the other team," Tagovailoa said when asked about expectations for Sunday. "I don’t have anything to prove to anyone on the outside."
It's clearly an awkward situation for Tagovailoa, but he didn't show it in his press conference, even praising Penix, Jack Strand and Cooper Rush.
Watch Tagovailoa's full press conference, as shared by the Falcons YouTube channel below.
The Falcons and Steelers will kick off Week 1 at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday in Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Tua Tagovailoa comments on being named Falcons' Week 1 starter
