Tagovailoa Joins Falcons and Loses Starting Role

Tua Tagovailoa is now with the Atlanta Falcons after leaving the Miami Dolphins, but the veteran quarterback has not played in the 2026 NFL season because of an oblique injury and Michael Penix Jr.'s return as Atlanta's starter.

According to sports.yahoo.com, the Falcons signed Tagovailoa after Miami released him following the 2025 season, ending his first NFL stint. The Dolphins absorbed nearly $100 million in dead cap charges from the move.

Sports.yahoo.com reported that Atlanta initially planned for Tagovailoa to start Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers because Penix was recovering from knee surgery. A practice injury three days before the opener sidelined Tagovailoa for the first two games.

Cooper Rush started those contests before Penix returned, and Tagovailoa became the backup after Penix played well in his first two games back, according to sports.yahoo.com. FantasyPros listed Tagovailoa as Atlanta's No. 2 quarterback for a Thursday game against the Green Bay Packers.

Tagovailoa's possible trade market has become a topic as the NFL deadline approaches. Heavy.com reported that analyst Kristopher Knox identified the Falcons quarterback as a possible trade asset if Atlanta views Penix as its long-term starter.

"If the Falcons believe that Penix is ready to be \"the guy\" and can put them back in the playoff hunt, then Tagovailoa might be the most expendable player on the roster who actually has any trade value—Cooper Rush, who started and performed poorly in Weeks 1 and 2, probably does not," wrote Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report.

Heavy.com reported that a trade would require a team needing quarterback help, with Tagovailoa potentially attractive as a short-term option because he is playing on a one-year deal.

Tagovailoa previously recorded strong seasons with Miami. Heavy.com reported he led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards in 2023 and threw 29 touchdowns against 14 interceptions that season.

Sports.yahoo.com reported that Tagovailoa's current situation leaves him behind Penix on Atlanta's depth chart unless an injury creates another opportunity. The Falcons remain his team while trade speculation continues before the deadline.