Tua Starting Friday — But Falcons Refuse to Name Him QB1
Falcons Name Tua Tagovailoa Starting Quarterback for Preseason Opener
What Just Happened?
The Atlanta Falcons have made a big decision for their first practice game of the year. Tua Tagovailoa will start at quarterback when the Falcons play the Denver Broncos this Friday night.
Think of preseason games like scrimmages before the real season starts. They don’t count in the standings, but they help coaches see who plays well under game conditions.
Location: Flowery Branch, Georgia (Falcons training facility)
Game Date: Friday night (preseason opener)
Opponent: Denver Broncos
Regular Season Starts: September 13 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Quarterback Situation: Meet the Four Guys
The Falcons have four quarterbacks on their roster right now. Here’s the lineup for Friday’s game:
1. Tua Tagovailoa — The Starter (for now)
- Gets the first snap in Friday’s game
- Coach wants to see how he runs the offense in a real game
- Important: This doesn’t guarantee he’ll start Week 1!
2. Michael Penix Jr. — The Young Guy Still Healing
- Third-year player (drafted in 2024)
- Tore his ACL last season — that’s a major knee ligament
- Doctor says the knee looks "amazing" and should never bother him again
- But: Penix isn’t mentally ready to take hits yet
- Won’t do 11-on-11 drills (full team practice) right now
3. Cooper Rush — The Veteran Backup
- Experienced NFL quarterback
- Will play second after Tagovailoa comes out
- Reliable option if needed
4. Jack Strand — The Rookie
- Undrafted free agent (signed after draft, not picked in it)
- Will finish the game
- Getting his first NFL action
How the Game Will Work: Coach’s Plan
Coach Kevin Stefanski has a clear plan for Friday:
- Starters play first — about one series or 10 plays (whichever comes first)
- Then they come out — rest of the game is for backups
- Simple game plan — nothing fancy or tricky
- Tommy Rees calls plays — he’s the offensive coordinator and will do this all year
Coach Stefanski’s Philosophy: "I don’t believe in showing a lot in the preseason and doing all sorts of exotic things."
The Big Question: Who Starts Week 1?
Nobody knows yet — not even the coach.
- Stefanski said: "We’re not there to name a starter for Week 1. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it."
- Week 1 is September 13 at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Friday’s game is just one piece of the puzzle
- Practices, meetings, and more preseason games all matter too
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Preseason Regular Season — Friday’s starter might not be the Week 1 starter
- Penix is physically cleared but mentally building confidence after major knee surgery
- Simple offense on purpose — coaches hide their real playbook until games count
- Four QBs getting work — everyone needs game reps to be evaluated fairly
- Decision timeline unclear — could come any time before September 13
Summary
The Atlanta Falcons are kicking off their preseason with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback against the Denver Broncos. But don’t pencil him in as the Week 1 starter just yet — Coach Kevin Stefanski says that decision is still weeks away. Meanwhile, young quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is recovering well from a torn ACL but isn’t quite ready for contact. The team will use a simple game plan, play their starters briefly, then give Cooper Rush and rookie Jack Strand plenty of snaps. It’s all part of the evaluation process before the real games begin on September 13 in Pittsburgh.
FAQ
Q: Does starting in the preseason mean Tagovailoa will start the regular season?
A: No! Preseason games are for evaluation. Coach Stefanski explicitly said they haven’t decided on a Week 1 starter yet.
Q: What’s an ACL and why does it matter for Penix?
A: The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is a major knee stabilizer. Tearing it usually requires surgery and 9-12 months of rehab. Penix’s doctor says his healed ACL is "amazing," but he’s still building trust in it.
Q: Why only 10 plays for starters?
A: Preseason games carry injury risk without counting in standings. Coaches limit exposure for key players while still getting live game film.
Q: Who is Tommy Rees?
A: He’s the offensive coordinator — the coach who designs the offense and calls plays during games. He’ll do this in the regular season too.
Q: What does "undrafted free agent" mean for Jack Strand?
A: He wasn’t selected in the NFL Draft but signed a contract afterward. He’s fighting for a roster spot and every snap matters for his audition.