The Atlanta Falcons currently find themselves in the middle of a quarterback controversy. After signing former Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this offseason, Atlanta now has a genuine decision to make as Michael Penix Jr. works his way back from a torn ACL. So, who should start? For me, the answer is Tua Tagovailoa.
Let Penix Sit and Learn
This is not an indictment of Michael Penix Jr. There have been stretches where Penix has looked like he could become a very good NFL quarterback, and Atlanta did not select him eighth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft without believing he could eventually become its franchise quarterback. But there is another part of his story that cannot be ignored: injuries.
Penix suffered two ACL tears during his college career at Indiana, along with significant shoulder injuries, before staying healthy after transferring to Washington. Then another torn ACL interrupted his young NFL career. Penix has shown enough in spurts to make Atlanta excited about his future, but why rush him back? Let him sit, learn the offense, continue strengthening his body and watch an experienced NFL quarterback operate the offense.
Atlanta invested heavily in Penix because of what it believes he can become over the long term. Giving him additional time after another major injury does not mean the Falcons have lost faith in him. It could be exactly what he needs.
Have We Forgotten What Tua Can Do?
It feels like people have quickly forgotten how good Tua Tagovailoa has been when healthy. Look at 2023, when Tua started all 17 games for Miami and completed 69.3% of his passes for 4,624 yards and 29 touchdowns, leading the entire NFL in passing yards.
Yes, he had Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and that certainly helped. But now look at the weapons waiting for him in Atlanta: Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson. Are we seriously supposed to believe Tua cannot put up monster numbers surrounded by those guys?
London gives him a legitimate No. 1 receiver, Pitts gives him an athletic weapon at tight end, and then there is Bijan Robinson, who has a legitimate argument as the best running back in football. Tua would not need to carry this offense by himself. Atlanta can build everything around Bijan, use play action, get the football out quickly and allow Tua to distribute it to one of the most talented collections of skill-position players in the league.
We already watched Tua put up huge numbers when surrounded by weapons in Miami. Atlanta has the weapons to give him another chance to do it.
A Top-10 Offensive Line Could Be Exactly What Tua Needs
Tua’s biggest issue has never been whether he can throw the football. It has been staying upright and staying healthy, which is why Atlanta’s offensive line matters so much to this conversation.
The Falcons enter the season with a top-10-rated offensive line, giving Tua something incredibly important: protection. Put that line in front of him, establish the running game with Bijan Robinson and design an offense that allows Tua to get the football out quickly. You do not need him standing in the pocket forever waiting for something to develop.
Protect him, give him Bijan, London and Pitts, and then see what happens. If Atlanta can keep Tua upright, there is no reason this offense should not be capable of putting up serious numbers.
This Division Is There for the Taking
Perhaps the biggest reason Atlanta should start Tua is simple: this division is there for the taking. The Carolina Panthers won the NFC South last season with just eight wins. Atlanta does not need to suddenly become a 13 or 14-win powerhouse to compete for this division. If the Falcons can get themselves to around 10 wins, there is a very realistic chance they are playing playoff football.
The schedule gives them an opportunity to do exactly that. The Falcons enter the season with the 5th-easiest schedule in the NFL. Put everything together: a division that was won with eight games last season, the fifth-easiest schedule in football, a top-10 offensive line, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson and a quarterback who has already led the NFL in passing yards.
Why wouldn’t Atlanta try to win this thing?
My Pick: Tua Tagovailoa
Michael Penix Jr. may eventually become the Falcons’ long-term starting quarterback, and Atlanta should continue developing him with that goal in mind. But eventually does not have to mean right now. Let Penix recover, learn and develop without immediately putting the responsibility of an entire season on his shoulders after another major knee injury.
Meanwhile, hand Tua Tagovailoa the keys. We have already seen what Tua can do when he stays healthy and is surrounded by elite offensive talent. In 2023, he led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards. Now give him Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson and a top-10 offensive line, put him in a division that was won with eight games last season, and give him the 5th-easiest schedule in the NFL.
The opportunity is sitting right there.
Name Tua Tagovailoa your starting quarterback and see what he can do.
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