NFL analyst says he expects Tua Tagovailoa to be Falcons starter
Tua Tagovailoa may replace Michael Penix Jr. in 2026.
As soon as the Miami Dolphins cut ties with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the Atlanta Falcons signed him within hours. Tua is expected to back up starter Michael Penix Jr. , but ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky says he expects the former Alabama quarterback to be a starter before it’s all said and done.
"Fully expect Tua [Tagovailoa] to be the starting quarterback Week 1 because of the reality of Michael Penix's health. " "Fully expect Tua [Tagovailoa] to be the starting quarterback Week 1 because of the reality of Michael Penix's health. " — @danorlovsky7 on the QB situation in Atlanta 👀 pic.
twitter. com/T6kNFHea3c — Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 17, 2026 Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham made it clear last week that Tua was not brought in just to back up Penix; he was brought in to compete for the starting position. “For Tua coming in here, he knows he’s coming in to compete,” Cunningham told reporters Friday .
“Just like Michael knows that he’s coming in to compete and everybody, quite frankly — not just those two at the quarterback position — but everybody’s coming in to compete. ” Penix partially tore his ACL in his left knee at the end of last season and was replaced by Kirk Cousins. Before his injury, Penix had only thrown for over 1900 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025.