The Atlanta Falcons are the *only* team left in the NFL without a named Week 1 starting quarterback. Seriously. While the Raiders have already officially named Kirk Cousins as their guy, the Falcons are still deep in evaluation. Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham told the media on Wednesday that they need to see more from all four quarterbacks, with a specific focus on Michael Penix Jr. now that he is finally cleared and able to practice fully.
The Penix Problem and Tua’s Week 1 Window
Penix Jr. just wasn’t ready to go for the preseason finale. The hope now is that he can show enough to be ready for the regular season. He is battling Tua Tagovailoa for the top spot, with Cooper Rush and Jack Strand in the mix as veteran insurance and a developmental option, respectively. The ultimate dream for Atlanta is Penix taking the job and never looking back, playing well enough to become their long-term starter and elevate that offense. But is that a realistic Week 1 outcome? Not so fast. NFL insider Cameron Wolfe reported that Tua “helped himself” over the last two weeks, and while Penix *will* start eventually, the team won’t rush him if he is not ready. Everything we have seen, from Penix’s timeline to him missing the final preseason game, screams that he needs to make significant strides to be out there against Pittsburgh. Penix has real talent and has rehabbed well, but a healthy Tua starting the year looks more likely right now.
The Long Game vs. The Immediate Need for Atlanta
That word “eventually” is key for Penix. Tua will need to be absolutely lights out to keep Penix off the field for more than the first month of the season. Why? Well, Tua is only signed for a single season, and Penix brings an upside Tua simply does not. There is also the huge factor of Penix’s fifth-year option, which the Falcons need to pick up in April. Getting an extended look at him is critical for this new regime, as the AJC’s Daniel Flick highlighted. Cunningham explained the decision to keep four quarterbacks was largely about injury risk with Tua and Penix, acting as an insurance policy. Plus, Rush and Strand were productive in preseason. Letting a guy like Cooper Rush go risks him finding an opportunity elsewhere, and Jack Strand would have been subject to waivers after the way he played. It is about draft, develop, and retain, even for undrafted guys like Strand.
So, who lines up for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers? That is the immediate question. But the larger stakes revolve around whether Penix Jr. can quickly make those significant strides and prove he is the future, or if Tua Tagovailoa can be lights out enough to hold him off beyond the first month. It is a big decision for the Falcons, with long-term consequences hanging in the balance.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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