The Atlanta Falcons will open the 2026 NFL season on the road against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday.
While the Falcons have named Tua Tagovailoa their starting quarterback for Week 1, the former top-five pick will need to perform at a high level to keep his job. Tagovailoa understands what's at stake, and is staying ready for the moment.
"What I can control is how I prepare, how I go out there, how I play, how I perform, and that's all I can do," Tagovailoa told reporters on Wednesday.
Aside from the quarterback competition, the Falcons listed two rookie starters on their Week 1 depth chart. Second-round pick Avieon Terrell is the starting nickel, while Kendal Daniels will start alongside Divine Deablo at inside linebacker.
Third-round pick Zachariah Branch will back up Olamide Zaccheaus in the slot, but the rookie wide receiver will serve as the team's starting punt returner. Lastly, running back Brian Robinson is Atlanta's starting kick return man.
Check out the Falcons' starting lineups on offense, defense and special teams for Sunday's season opener in Pittsburgh.
Falcons Week 1 starting lineup: Offense
- QB Tua Tagovailoa
- RB Bijan Robinson
- WR Drake London
- WR Jahan Dotson
- WR Olamide Zaccheaus
- TE Kyle Pitts
- TE Charlie Woerner
- LT Jake Matthews
- LG Matthew Bergeron
- C Ryan Neuzil
- RG Chris Lindstrom
- RT Jawaan Taylor
Falcons Week 1 starting lineup: Defense
- DE Cameron Thomas
- DL Maason Smith
- DL LaCale London
- DE Brandon Dorlus
- ILB Divine Deablo
- ILB Kendal Daniels
- CB A.J. Terrell
- CB Mike Hughes
- NB Avieon Terrell
- S Jessie Bates III
- S Xavier Watts
Falcons Week 1 starting lineup: Special Teams
- K Nick Folk
- P Jake Bailey
- LS Liam Mccullough
- KR Brian Robinson
- PR Zachariah Branch
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons starting lineups for Week 1 game vs. Steelers
