Falcons name Tua as Week 1 starter over Penix

Falcons name Tua as Week 1 starter over Penix --> Skip to main content Skip to navigation MenuESPN scores NFLNBAMLBNCAAFSoccerTennisNHLMore SportsBoxingNCAACricketF1FIBAGamingGolfHorseLLWSMMANASCARNLLNBA G LeagueNBA Summer LeagueNCAAMNCAAWNWSLOlympicsPLLRacingRN BBRN FBRugbyBananasSports BettingTGLUFLWNBAMen's World CupWWEProfessional WrestlingEditionsWhere to WatchFantasyWatch NFLHomeScoresScheduleStandingsStatsTeamsOddsFantasy FootballWhere To WatchDepth ChartsInjuriesTransactionsDraftOddsFree AgencyCoachesPlayoff BracketSuper BowlFootball Power IndexFuturesPlayersScheduleWeekly LeadersTotal QBRNFL HistorySuper Bowl WinnersTickets Falcons name Tua as Week 1 starter over PenixAtlanta Falcons48mMarc RaimondiShanahan changes tune on Aussie trip: It's rightSan Francisco 49ers9hNick WagonerNFL commish Goodell agrees to 4-year extension20hSources: Giants, Winston reach 2-year extensionNew York Giants16hJordan RaananRams expect WR Nacua, LT Jackson to play Thu.Los Angeles Rams15hSarah BarshopShanahan preparing as if Rams' Donald will playLos Angeles Rams10hSarah BarshopPatriots' McDaniels hopes to right SB LX wrongsNew England Patriots16hMike ReissVikes' Smith agrees to deal, back for 15th seasonMinnesota Vikings2dKevin SeifertExpanded Ultimate Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Print. 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Why his high school coach says that could be a good thingTampa Bay Buccaneers3dJenna LaineBarnwell: The NFL players, coaches and GMs with the most at stake this seasonHouston Texans4dBill BarnwellFalcons name Tua Tagovailoa Week 1 starting QB vs. SteelersplayOrlovksy: Tua felt like the only decision for Falcons for majority of offseason (0:55) Tua Tagovailoa will be the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sunday's season opener. The Falcons announced their decision Monday, ending a months-long competition between Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. Atlanta has had a different Week 1 starter in each of the past six seasons. The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.3 million contract in the offseason. He was released in March by the Miami Dolphins, who took on a record $99.2 million in dead cap to part ways with the six-year veteran. Penix sustained a torn ACL in November 2025 and underwent surgery. He was not cleared for 11-on-11 team periods until the final week of training camp. Tagovailoa started training camp with a tight back and missed the first week of practices, which was a minor setback. Tagovailoa started two preseason games for the Falcons. He got just nine plays in his first game against the Denver Broncos, but was 7-of-8 for 95 yards in the second against the Dolphins. Tagovailoa fumbled a snap in both of those appearances and was unable to push the ball downfield with regularity, which was also an issue in training camp practices. Tagovailoa, 28, led the NFL in passing yards (4,624) in 2023 and in completion percentage (72.9%) in 2024. But he struggled with injuries, specifically concussions, and threw 15 interceptions last season. In his career, Tagovailoa has completed 68% of his passes for 18,166 yards with 120 touchdowns and 59 interceptions over six seasons.

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Source: ESPN

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