Football is an exceedingly complex game, especially at the NFL level. However, the greatest factor by far is still what your team gets out of the quarterback position. By that measure, the Atlanta Falcons look like they're headed for another eight-win season, at best.
Tua Tagovailoa looked completely overwhelmed in his preseason debut against Denver, while Michael Penix still hasn't played a single rep of 11-on-11 this year. To be fair, Tua's start was a small sample size against a team that led the league in sacks last season. Meanwhile, Penix has come back from two ACL tears and four season-ending injuries previously.
According to Grant Gordon at NFL.com, both are among the top 10 contenders for the Comeback Player of the Year award. Penix came
in at No. 7 on his list.
"...With their recent roster gambles not paying off like they hoped, the franchise’s trajectory might well ride on the left shoulder of Penix. He has just 14 NFL games under his belt, but he’s 26 and his play (2,757 passing yards, 12 touchdown passes, six interceptions in those 14 games) hasn’t come close to securing his spot as the future of the franchise at QB. Before he can attempt to prove anything with his play, he must first be cleared for 11-on-11 work and then, presumably, convince head coach Kevin Stefanski to give him the starting nod over Tua Tagovailoa."
Speaking of Tagovailoa, he just made the cut at No. 10 on Gordon's list.
"...Ultimately, his days with the Dolphins ended on the bench. That leads him to a pivotal season -- and a giant opportunity with Kevin Stefanski manning the sidelines. He might be the perfect fit for Tagovailoa, having already brought the better out of Kirk Cousins, Jacoby Brissett and Joe Flacco in past seasons with the Vikings as an offensive coordinator and with the Browns as their head coach."
A lot will have to go right for either Tua or Penix to earn the award, and only so much of it is under their control. An all-time great season from Bijan Robinson is the most-indispensable ingredient, followed by a breakout year from WR2 Jahan Dotson, another strong season from Kyle Pitts and Drake London and a top-five performance from the Falcons' offensive line.
If they get all that going for them and still can't contend for the CPOY award, then the Falcons front office has to hit the reset button and try building around one of the QB prospects in the loaded 2027 draft class.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons QBs among top Comeback Player of the Year contenders
