Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr.? QB1 Battle Heats Up in Atlanta as Experts Weigh In

The Falcons have yet to decide who will the starting quarterback in the new season between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr.

Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr.? QB1 Battle Heats Up in Atlanta as Experts Weigh In

Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa and Louis Riddick inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

The Atlanta Falcons have pitted Michael Penix Jr. against Tua Tagovailoa for the starting quarterback’s job. Even though Kevin Stefanski remains mum on the topic, retired NFL player Louis Riddick views Tua as the clear favorite to start in week one.

Penix, a 2024 first-round draft pick, spent the first two years of his career sharing snaps with Kirk Cousins. After missing the playoffs last year, the Falcons fired Raheem Morris as head coach and released Cousins. Falcon’s president of football, Matt Ryan, brought in Stefanski as the new head coach.

Meanwhile, Tagovailoa played six seasons with the Miami Dolphins. However, the Dolphins’ last playoff appearance came during the 2023-24 season. Subsequently, they agreed to a four-year, $212.4 million contract. However, Tagovailoa failed to replicate the previous results.

Miami underwent a complete overhaul in the front office and released Tagovailoa, taking a massive dead cap hit. Stefanski signed him to a one-year deal to compete with Penix. In a recent segment of NFL Live on ESPN, Louis Riddick batted for Tagovailoa to win the quarterback role.

I think [Tua Tagovailoa] is kind of tailor-made for this offense. I expect him… I am putting my money in winning this job.

But first, Tagovailoa must pass one condition. Riddick added:

If he can stay healthy. All things being equal. I think he’s a better fit for the offense that Kevin [Stefanski] ideally like to run.

In 2024, multiple concussions limited Tagovailoa to eleven appearances. Despite avoiding major injuries the following season, the effects began manifesting in Tagovailoa’s game. After week 14, Mike McDaniel benched him and started rookie seventh-rounder Quinn Ewers in the remaining fixtures.

In 14 games, he completed 67.7% of his passes for 2660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions (most conceded in one season). This isn’t the first occasion Riddick has endorsed Tagovailoa. He echoed the same earlier in the month.

I personally think [Tagovailoa] should win this job. All things being equal, no disrespect to Michael Penix, Tua is a fantastic passer. If he can stay on the football field, and they can play complementary football, I think he wins the job.

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Cousins’ departure cleared the way for Penix to take over as the Falcons undisputed number one. Stefanski came in with other plans. Due to the former Washington man’s lackluster couple of years, Stefanski concluded that it’s best to bring in a veteran. That’s why Tagovailoa is in Atlanta.

Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr.? QB1 Battle Heats Up in Atlanta as Experts Weigh In
Tua Tagovailoa (Image via IMAGO)

The Pro Bowler’s presence keeps Penix’s chance of starting games to a minimum. Such transactions easily create tension in the locker room. But that’s not the case with Penix. He has established a solid bond with his senior colleague.

It’s been good. It’s been nothing but good since he got here. We know we’re in competition, but at the same time, we are on the same team. We have the same goals, and that’s to see this team win football games and help do that in our way. Man, we’ve been good together, and it’s always going to be like that.

Penix hurt his knee midway through last year. Later, he underwent ACL surgery, ending his campaign. According to Stefanski, the 26-year-old is doing better and will join the team during the training camp.

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