Atlanta Falcons’ Terrible QB Situation Just Got Worse
Kevin Stefanski will face a tough challenge.
The Atlanta Falcons have not kicked off yet. The quarterback line is already a mess.
Kevin Stefanski named Tua Tagovailoa the Week 1 starter against the Steelers. Michael Penix Jr. will be inactive while he finishes an ACL rehab. Cooper Rush was supposed to be the backup.
Friday changed the plan. Tua missed the open portion of practice after an oblique injury Thursday and has since been ruled out. Rush took every first-team snap. That is how a July insurance signing becomes the possible opener.
Penix is the 2024 first-round pick. Tua signed a one-year minimum deal after Miami cut him. Rush arrived when both of them were hurt in camp. Undrafted rookie Jack Strand is the last arm on the roster.
Atlanta Falcons Turned To Rush Before A Snap
Jul 29, 2026; Atlanta, Falcons, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush (13) talks to the media during the first day of training camp at IBM Performance Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Rush joined the Falcons in July, as Tagovailoa dealt with a back issue and Penix continued to rehab.
Tua later won the job because Penix was not ready. Penix said he felt “real close” and still sat. Stefanski said he would “stay in Week 1” and not guess beyond Pittsburgh.
Then the back footage leaked. Tua went down in pain at practice days before kickoff. Rush ran the ones again. Penix stayed on the inactive track.
Mike Florio even floated a cut before Tua played a down. Atlanta is not stuck with Miami’s dead money and they can part ways with the veteran more easily.
He has a lot to prove coming into Week 1, as even Mike Tomlin needled Tua on NBC before the injury news.
“His last visit to Pittsburgh didn’t go well.”
That trip ended Miami’s year and put Tua on the bench.
Atlanta Falcons Keep Changing Week 1 Quarterbacks
Tua Tagovailoa (Photo by IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
With Tua and Penix out, Rush will be Atlanta’s sixth different Week 1 starter in six seasons. There is no timeline for Penix but the team is hoping he’ll be back soon.
Stefanski praised Penix’s work.
“Mike is getting better and better and better, and I’m very proud of him for how far he’s come.”
He still would not name a season-long starter.
Tua called the job day to day.
“What I can control is how I prepare, how I play, how I perform.”
The oblique now controls his fate.
