ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes the Atlanta Falcons will declare either Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa as their QB1 against Pittsburgh in head coach Kevin Stefanski’s Monday press conference with the media. But that might not be the end of it.
In a new bold prediction feature from NFL.com writer Grant Gordon predicted rookie signal-caller Jack Strand would start “more than half” of Atlanta’s games in 2026.
“Jack Strand takes over as Falcons starting QB: Atlanta will see Strand end the season with more starts than Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa,” Fowler wrote. “Strand will start more than half the campaign for Atlanta, showing some promise, but not enough to dissuade the Falcons from plucking a quarterback in the talent-rich 2027 NFL Draft.”
Fans aren’t excited about current options
If it’s Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa, it won’t matter to some people. The Falcons are doomed from the start either way at the quarterback position.
Penix and Tagovailoa have obvious injury histories and both have played average football over the past two seasons. The third quarterback on the roster is eight-year veteran Cooper Rush, but one analyst thinks the fourth quarterback and rookie on the depth chart could end up being the starter in Atlanta sometime this season.
Who is Falcons QB Jack Strand?
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Strand signed with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2026 out of DII Minnesota State-Moorhead.
The 6-foot-4, 243-pound quarterback from Bloomer, Wisconsin, played in all three games for Atlanta this preseason, completing 24 of 36 passes for 305 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also ran for 29 yards and added two touchdowns on the ground.
Even Pro Bowl wide receiver Drake London has given his stamp of approval to the rookie quarterback.
“That dude is a tank, bro,” London told ESPN. “He’s huge, man. He’s a big person, but he’s a quiet guy. He’s about his business and it’s dope to just see him out there, try to grasp everything and then just play ball at the end of the day. And he’s doing a great job.”
GM Ian Cunningham called the team’s decision to carry four quarterbacks “a little bit of an insurance policy,” but we have a feeling Jack Strand will mean more to the Falcons than insurance. He could be a project worth developing in the near future for Atlanta.
While Strand is fourth on the depth chart, he could be starting half the season with Tua and Penix in front of him. Cooper Rush very well may be the odd man out, leading Strand to boldly become the starter for Atlanta. Only time will tell if this prediction comes true.
The Falcons and the Steelers will face off in Pittsburgh next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
