Falcons Take Their Time With Quarterback Decision
The Atlanta Falcons have yet to name a starting quarterback for their Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and general manager Ian Cunningham made clear on Wednesday that the team is in no hurry.
"When the coaches are ready, when the players are ready, we will make that decision," Cunningham said, according to a report by Heavy.
The Falcons kept four quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster: Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, Cooper Rush, and undrafted rookie Jack Strand. The decision to keep all four underscores the uncertainty surrounding the position as the team evaluates its options.
The competition, as described by Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, "ostensibly" is between Tagovailoa and Penix. Penix spent much of training camp recovering from a torn ACL and was not cleared for 11-on-11 work until late in camp. He did not play in the preseason finale, limiting his opportunity to showcase his ability. Tagovailoa, meanwhile, received significantly more live work during the preseason and started the finale against his former team, the Miami Dolphins.
Florio, writing on Friday, noted that the Falcons have scheduled a "Starting Quarterback Press Conference" for Wednesday, Sept. 9. He speculated that the decision itself could come earlier, suggesting it "will happen early in the week, probably on Monday, with the announcement coming Tuesday morning at the earliest."
Cunningham added that the team wants to see more from the quarterbacks, particularly Penix, who needs more full practices under his belt. Despite the limited time, Penix has shown flashes of the arm talent that made him the No. 8 overall pick in 2024, including a 45-yard touchdown to Zachariah Branch on the opening day of camp.
Tagovailoa, who was released by the Dolphins this offseason as part of a cost-cutting move, has displayed accuracy and command of the offense throughout the preseason. The Falcons' new front office boss, Matt Ryan, and head coach Kevin Stefanski are overseeing the decision.
The Falcons open the season on Sunday, Sept. 13, on the road in Pittsburgh, where they will face a Steelers defense that still boasts a strong pass rush. Florio noted that if Tagovailoa cannot beat out Rush for the Week 1 start, "there's no reason to keep him on the roster," adding that "if Tua falls behind Rush, Tua shouldn't want to stay."
Florio also floated the possibility of giving the nod to undrafted rookie Jack Strand, who impressed during camp and forced the Falcons to keep him on the roster. Cunningham praised Strand's performance, saying he did an "admirable" job (the full quote was cut off in the report).
The decision, whenever it comes, will be a defining moment for the Falcons' season. With the opener just over a week away, the clock is ticking, but Cunningham's comments suggest the team will take the time it needs to get it right.