The Atlanta Falcons are somehow stumbling toward their Week 1 clash against the Steelers on September 13 without a starting quarterback named. Can you believe it? While the Raiders are out there confidently naming Kirk Cousins as their Week 1 starter, the Falcons’ General Manager Ian Cunningham just admitted the most critical position on the field is still up in the air. When asked if they had made a choice between Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa, Cunningham could only manage a blunt “not yet.” Seriously, September 13 is practically tomorrow, and they’re still playing coy!
The Quarterback Conundrum: Injuries and Inconsistency
This isn’t some minor detail; this is the freaking quarterback position, the heart of the offense! According to Cunningham, the decision will be made “when the coaches are ready , when the players are ready.” But what does that even mean days before the season kicks off? It points to some serious issues in that QB room.
Let’s break down the situation with the two main contenders. Michael Penix is coming off a torn ACL, a brutal injury for any player. The good news is he was cleared for football activities over a week ago. That’s huge for his recovery! But here’s the kicker: he didn’t even play in the team’s final preseason game. How can you be ready for the physicality of Week 1 NFL action if you haven’t seen any live game reps in months, especially coming off a major knee injury? That lack of work has to be a giant question mark hanging over his readiness.
Then you have Tua Tagovailoa, who’s had his own set of headaches. He showed “ups and downs” in game action last month, which is never the kind of consistency you want from a potential starter. On top of that, he was dealing with a back injury early in camp. You’ve got one guy battling rust and recovery from a torn ACL, and another with a recent injury and inconsistent play. It’s a real head-scratcher why this decision is dragging on so late.
The “Insurance Policy” That Speaks Volumes
The Falcons’ concerns aren’t exactly a secret. Cunningham practically spelled it out when talking about their backup situation. Jack Strand and Cooper Rush both got “extended looks” over the summer and made the final 53-man roster. That alone tells you something about the team’s confidence, or lack thereof, in their top two guys.
Cunningham himself called Strand and Rush “a little bit of an insurance policy.” Yeah, an insurance policy against what? Against Penix not being fully ready after his ACL tear? Against Tagovailoa’s back injury flaring up, or his inconsistent play continuing into the regular season? Cunningham even admitted it “seems wise” given the injury histories of Penix and Tagovailoa. That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for the guys who are supposed to be leading your team into battle.
This isn’t just about picking a starter; it’s about the Falcons sending a clear message that they have serious doubts about their primary options. With Week 1 against the Steelers rapidly approaching on September 13, this decision can’t wait much longer. They need to get their guy, whoever it is, ready to go!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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