It didn’t take too long for Tua Tagovailoa to find a new home after his Miami Dolphins exit.

The former No. 5 overall pick is signing a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, per Adam Schefter, as he’s set to play his seventh NFL season as a veteran in the NFC South. After his planned release from Miami was announced, reports have indicated the Falcons were making a significant push for Tagovailoa, and the pairing is now headed toward becoming official.

Tagovailoa, 28, brings an intriguing blend of skills and veteran experience to the Falcons, but the move also puts some added pressure on their current quarterback, Michael Penix Jr. With two left-handed passers in their quarterback room, Atlanta appears destined for some competition at the position in 2026.

Here’s how the Tagovailoa signing will impact Penix and the Falcons’ offense this coming season.

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Falcons QB depth chart 

1. Michael Penix Jr.

For now, there shouldn’t be an expectation that the Falcons will relegate Penix to a backup role. Until new head coach Kevin Stefanski says otherwise, Penix should be expected to start at quarterback for the 2026 Falcons, once he’s fully recovered from his partially torn ACL suffered last season.

However, that being said, the Tagovailoa signing absolutely puts more pressure on the 25-year-old to better his performance moving forward. Penix was drafted with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, a decision that raised some eyebrows after Atlanta had already signed Kirk Cousins that offseason. Once Cousins began struggling, it was Penix’s time as QB1, but he has yet to prove he can be a star in the NFL as anticipated.

Penix had 775 yards, a 58.1% completion rate, three touchdowns and three interceptions over five games in 2024, then 1,982 yards, a 60.1% completion rate, nine touchdowns and three interceptions over nine games in 2025. He looked better in Year 2 than in Year 1, but he also didn’t scream “franchise quarterback,” clearly needing more steps to take for the Falcons to contend for the playoffs.

Atlanta has committed to Penix, so it’s unlikely he’s being moved to the bench already. But with Cousins departing this offseason, the Falcons now have another legitimate, starter-level option to turn to if Penix isn’t showing signs of growth.

2. Tua Tagovailoa

Tagovailoa brings six years worth of NFL starting experience to Atlanta, where he can be valuable in multiple ways. If he’s a backup, Tagovailoa will be one of the league’s best. While he did have a rough 2025 season, throwing 15 interceptions, the former Alabama star did have a 72.0% completion percentage and 101.4 rating as recently as 2024.

If Tagovailoa gets starting reps for the Falcons — it’s certainly possible Stefanski entertains a quarterback competition this summer — then there will be some pressure for him to perform within a talented offense. While the fit is definitely there, from the left-handed passer aspect and a group of weapons that can complement his weaknesses well, one more bad season from Tagovailoa could be detrimental to his NFL future, also considering his injury history.

It’s easy to see why Tagovailoa had interest in joining the Falcons. There’s a path to a starting job on a solid NFC squad, should he impress in training camp, and playing in a dome should help alleviate any of his past “cold weather” concerns. Add in the fact that he’ll be in an offense already tailored toward a lefty quarterback with Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and Drake London, and there’s potential for Tagovailoa to succeed in Atlanta.

While the Falcons are bringing in Tagovailoa as a likely backup for now, don’t be surprised if he winds up seeing the field in 2026.

3. Easton Stick

The other quarterback currently on the Falcons’ roster is former Chargers fifth-round pick Easton Stick.

With Tagovailoa in the fold, Stick remains an emergency third option for the Falcons. He hasn’t seen NFL snaps since 2023, when he had 1,129 yards in five games for Los Angeles.

Why did the Falcons sign Tua Tagovailoa?

The biggest reason for the Falcons’ pursuit of Tagovailoa: he’s a low-risk, high-reward option at quarterback behind Penix. Because Tagovailoa is coming to Atlanta on a one-year deal, only signing a small contract as he receives nearly $100 million from Miami for his release, the Falcons aren’t heavily investing in another passer. This is a move that could pay dividends for their 2026 outlook if it works out, and if it doesn’t, there’s no harm.

Primarily, Tagovailoa puts some added pressure on Penix to perform better. If the 25-year-old doesn’t take step towards stardom, Atlanta could easily send him to the bench for a proven NFL starter; not only can Tagovailoa provide some veteran leadership to a quarterback whose game is similar to his, but if the Falcons aren’t satisfied with Penix’s outlook, they have an in-house option ready.

Tagovailoa has also played at his best in warmer, or controlled weather environments, which bodes well for his outlook at the domed Mercedes-Benz Stadium. And with an impressive group of weapons already in place, Tagovailoa wouldn’t be asked to carry the Falcons’ offense with his arm; he’s capable of engineering the unit with precision and quick passes.

Coming off a down year, Tagovailoa will have a chance to get his career back on track in Atlanta. As a backup, he’d be one of the best in the NFL and a mentor for Penix. As a starter, he’s capable of leading a playoff contender, with his left-handed throwing requiring no adjustments for the Falcons. It’s a seamless fit, and a solid opportunity for Tagovailoa to redirect his career outlook if things work out in 2026.