Falcons Finally Set Timeline for Naming Starting Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr.'s QB battle in Atlanta is finally coming to a head, with an announcement set for next week.
The Atlanta Falcons made a savvy move by signing Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year contract worth $1.215 million in March. This came after Michael Penix Jr. suffered a torn ACL, providing Tagovailoa an opportunity to rebuild his career after a disappointing stint with the Miami Dolphins. The preseason concluded without a clear decision on who would start at quarterback for the upcoming season.
However, the Atlanta Falcons have finally announced that they will hold a press conference next Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. ET to reveal the starting quarterback for Week 1. The NFL has seen its fair share of quarterback battles this year, with Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders leading the headlines, as well as Minnesota, Arizona, and Las Vegas each having their own competitions.
The only team yet to decide on its starting quarterback is the Falcons. With the regular season just one week away, this revelation may cause some concern among Falcons fans. Tagovailoa struggled during the preseason, Penix had recently returned to full practices, and undrafted rookie free agent Jack Strand, who played Division II football at Minnesota State-Moorhead, emerged as the best quarterback on the roster.
It seems unlikely that the Falcons would select Strand for Week 1, and if it were coach Cooper Rush, it could suggest the current state of Tagovailoa. However, the most probable scenario is that Penix will start the season under center, which might also provide insight into Tagovailoa's future given that Penix didn't participate in the preseason and has only recently returned to full practice.
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