Our picks and predictions for the 2026 NFL season
Joe Rivera, Chris Bumbaca and Adam Kaufman break down their predictions for the 2026 NFL season on the latest episode of the Sports Seriously NFL Vodcast.
It’s Act 2 for Tua Tagovailoa.
The Atlanta Falcons officially named the former Miami Dolphins passer as their Week 1 starting quarterback vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers, putting a bow on the final quarterback battle heading into the 2026 season.
The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to a one-year deal this offseason after the passer was released from the Dolphins, with Miami eating a record dead-cap hit in order to move on from the 2020 first-round pick.
To that end, Tagovailoa winning the starting job isn’t a major surprise considering the health of 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. Penix spent the majority of training camp waiting to be cleared after a knee injury he suffered in 2025, the fourth major knee injury of his football career.
Penix finally joined training camp as a full participant on Wednesday Aug. 26, days before the Falcons’ final preseason game. Head coach Kevin Stefanski opted to keep Penix out of that game, citing the quick turnaround.
According to NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport, Penix will be inactive for Week 1, with Cooper Rush taking the backup role behind Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa enters a situation where he is once again surrounded by playmakers, including running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London. It remains to be seen how he’ll operate in a full-strength Stefanski offense.
Falcons QB depth chart
Here’s how the passers will line up entering the 2026 season:
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Cooper Rush
- Jack Strand
- Michael Penix Jr. (Inactive)
Penix Jr. is entering a critical season with the Falcons, though when or if he’ll see the field still remains a question. With Tua Tagovailoa named as the starting quarterback, Penix will have to wait for his opportunity to see regular snaps, whether that comes by benching or injury.
Reports indicate that Penix will be inactive for the first game, but he will most likely slot into the second quarterback spot behind Tagovailoa once he’s ready for game action.
As Penix is entering his third season in the league, team brass will likely want to get a good look at him ahead of a potentially quarterback-loaded 2027 NFL Draft.
Behind Tagovailoa and Penix Jr. is journeyman Cooper Rush, who joined the Falcons this offseason after spending 2025 with the Baltimore Ravens.
Jack Strand was signed as an undrafted free agent this offseason, and landed on the team’s 53-man roster, rounding out a rare four-QB room.