The Atlanta Falcons made a cheap move this offseason, snagging Tua Tagovailoa on a one-year, veteran minimum deal after the Dolphins cut him loose. It made sense at the time, especially with Michael Penix Jr. sidelined by injury. Penix still isn’t ready, making Tua the likely guy under center. But buckle up, Falcons fans, because ESPN’s Dan Graziano is dropping a bombshell prediction: Tua’s “most likely” outcome is going to be incredibly disappointing. And honestly? This prediction sounds spot on.
Falcons’ QB Situation Is A Minefield
Graziano lays it out plain: Tua starts the season, but he’s gonna struggle, either with his health or his performance. Once Penix gets healthy, the Falcons are gonna pivot hard, slotting him in to see if he’s their long-term answer. It’s a harsh reality, but based on what we’ve seen from Tua in training camp and preseason, he might not be warming that starter’s seat for long. Penix, that 26-year-old 2024 first-round pick, brings way more upside to the table, and he’s already got experience with the offense’s playmakers. That’s a huge advantage right there.
The Ugly Numbers Don’t Lie
Last season with the Dolphins, Tua put up some rough stats. We’re talking 2,660 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and a 67.7% completion rate. Sounds okay until you see the big kicker: 15 interceptions. Add an 88.5 passer rating and a massive 7.25% sack rate, and you see why the Dolphins moved on. Sure, Penix wasn’t “a lot better,” as the report says, but the potential for him to turn things around in his third NFL season is absolutely there. Graziano’s “most likely outcome” prediction, where Tua struggles for part of the year and Penix eventually gets his shot, just feels accurate.
What Comes Next For Atlanta’s QB Room?
After this season, the whole quarterback discussion in Atlanta is going to be wide open. Whether they’re chasing a 2027 rookie QB or a big-name free agent, change is likely coming to the Falcons’ roster. It’s not looking like a stable situation down there, folks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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