Clear favorite emerges in Falcons quarterback battle as Kevin Stefanski faces pivotal decision

Jul 19, 2026 - 13:30

Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. are locked in battle to be named Atlanta Falcons starter.

It’s a big decision on the hands of new head coach Kevin Stefanski, who some believe is the wrong man to fix their messy QB room.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Atlanta Falcons speaks to media during OTA's at IBM Performance Field on May 27, 2026 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. — 2026 will be the first season for the Falcons under Kevin Stefanski

At the conclusion of OTAs it appeared that the former Miami had the edge over Penix Jr..

NBC Sports NFL Insider Mike Florio explained why this is likely still the case ahead of training camp.

“Usually in a situation like this, when you’ve devoted a top-10 draft pick to a quarterback, there’s going to be an institutional political push to prove that you got it right,” Florio said on Pro Football Talk.

“And that’s going to cause the team to favor the eighth overall pick from the 2024 draft, not that long ago, grand scheme of things.

“Snap of the fingers, grand scheme of things. But everybody who was involved in the drafting of Michael Penix Jr. is gone.

“But so far, you know, when they finally started Penix, I think it was a Sunday night game against Washington.

“He looked pretty good. He’s had some moments, but they didn’t bring Tua Tagovailoa in to clearly be the backup, even though they’re paying him as little as they can given his number of years in the NFL.

“But Tua is the guy that the new regime brought in — Matt Ryan, Ian Cunningham, and Kevin Stefanski.

“So if there’s any preference, if it’s close, the preference very well may be to go with Tua unless ownership gets involved.”

Things were much different for Penix Jr. this time last offseason.

Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons runs through drills during OTA's at IBM Performance Field on May 27, 2026 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. — Florio noted the regime that drafted Penix Jr. is now out of the building

Michael Penix Jr. #9 and Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Atlanta Falcons have a laugh during OTA's at IBM Performance Field on May 27, 2026 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. — Florio noted that they wouldn’t have brought in Tua to be a backup, despite the price

The first-round pick was coming off an impressive rookie showing with the Falcons, tossing 775 yards and three touchdowns in three starts.

He took over the role from Kirk Cousins in December that year, and was expected to continue his development in 2025.

Penix Jr. ended up tearing his MCL and ACL in his left knee, which brought up worries about his history of devastating knee injuries.

After releasing Cousins, who is now a Las Vegas Raider, Atlanta brought in former Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa.

Tagovailoa was released by the Dolphins, eating a monster $99 million cap hit in ‘dead money’.

During his time in Miami, Tagovailoa posted a passer rating of 96.4, totalling 18,166 yards, 120 touchdowns, and 59 interceptions across 78 games.

Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons takes his helmet off on the field during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. — Penix Jr. suffered a season-ending injury in 2025

Health was a key issue, with the quarterback having four documented concussions over a five-year span from 2019 to 2024.

Atlanta have two high-upside but medically challenged options on the roster.

Stefanski and his coaching staff will likely prioritize short-term stability over draft status when naming a starter ahead of Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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