Tua Starting Friday: Why Falcons Still Won’t Name Him QB1
Falcons Name Tua Tagovailoa Starter for Preseason Opener, But Week 1 Job Still Up for Grabs
Quick Summary: Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski announced that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will start Friday’s preseason game against the Denver Broncos. However, the team isn’t ready to name a regular-season starter yet. Meanwhile, young QB Michael Penix Jr. continues recovering from a knee injury.
What Happened?
On Wednesday, Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters that Tua Tagovailoa will get the starting nod when Atlanta kicks off its preseason against the Denver Broncos on Friday night. But here’s the catch — this doesn’t mean he’s locked in as the Week 1 starter.
Important Point:
Preseason Regular Season. Coaches often use preseason games to evaluate players, not to reveal their final plans. Starting in August doesn’t guarantee starting in September.
The Quarterback Situation: Breaking It Down
1. Tua Tagovailoa — Getting the First Look
- Will start Friday’s game
- Playing in a new offensive system under coordinator Tommy Rees
- Expected to play only the first series (about 10 plays)
2. Cooper Rush — The Veteran Backup
- Will be the second quarterback in the game
- Experienced NFL backup (previously with Cowboys, others)
- Provides stability if needed
3. Jack Strand — The Rookie
- Undrafted free agent
- Will finish the game after Tagovailoa and Rush
- Getting valuable live-game experience
4. Michael Penix Jr. — Still on the Mend
- Third-year quarterback, drafted by Atlanta
- Recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season
- Not yet cleared for 11-on-11 team drills
- Doctor says the repaired knee is "amazing" — but Penix is still building confidence
- Key quote from Penix: "I feel like I can do just about anything except for take a hit."
Coach Stefanski’s Approach: Keep It Simple
Stefanski shared his philosophy for the preseason:
| What He Said | What It Means |
|---|---|
| "We’re not there to name a starter for Week 1" | No decision yet on who starts the real games |
| "We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it" | They’ll decide closer to the regular season |
| "Simple game plan" | No fancy plays — just execute basics fast |
| "I don’t believe in showing a lot in the preseason" | Saving the real playbook for when it counts |
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will call plays Friday — just like he will during the regular season.
What This Means for the Falcons
Good Signs
- Tagovailoa gets live reps in the new system
- Penix’s knee is structurally sound per doctors
- Clear rotation plan for the preseason game
Still Unresolved
- Who starts Week 1? (Sept. 13 at Pittsburgh Steelers)
- When is Penix fully ready? (Mentally and physically)
- How will the QB competition shake out?
Summary
- Tua Tagovailoa starts Friday vs. Broncos — but only for ~10 plays
- Cooper Rush and Jack Strand will also play
- Michael Penix Jr. is healthy structurally but not yet confident taking hits
- No Week 1 starter named yet — decision coming later
- Falcons keeping things simple and fast in preseason
FAQ
Q: Why start Tua Tagovailoa if he might not start Week 1?
A: Preseason games are for evaluation. Coaches want to see how players perform in real game situations before making final decisions.
Q: What’s wrong with Michael Penix Jr.?
A: He tore his ACL last season. While doctors say the knee is fully healed, he’s still building the mental confidence to take hits again — which is normal after a major injury.
Q: Who is Jack Strand?
A: An undrafted rookie quarterback. Getting him game experience helps the team evaluate him for the practice squad or future development.
Q: When will we know the Week 1 starter?
A: Coach Stefanski said they’ll "cross that bridge when we get to it" — likely after all preseason games are done, closer to September 13.
Q: Does the preseason game result matter?
A: Not really. The score doesn’t count. What matters is player evaluation, execution, and staying healthy.
Article based on reporting by Marc Raimondi, ESPN (Aug 12, 2026)