The Atlanta Falcons began the NFL offseason quickly, undergoing major changes. With new head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Ian Cunningham, the Falcons are looking to improve after going 8-9 and missing the playoffs for the eighth straight year.
The offense was once again underwhelming, with Michael Penix Jr. appearing in just nine games before suffering a season-ending ACL tear. Before that, the former Washington Husky threw for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
However, with just 17 in-game appearances in his first two seasons, the Falcons have not committed to Penix as the long-term starter. With Atlanta expected to release Kirk Cousins, outside competition will likely be brought in to challenge the former No. 8 pick.
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While Penix works to recover from his ACL injury, he may return fighting to keep his role as the Falcons' starter. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Falcons have already shown interest in Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
"Lefties unite?" Garafolo wrote. "The #Falcons are making a strong early push to sign former #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, sources tell The Insiders. With Michael Penix recovering from a torn ACL, Atlanta is making a move for an economic contingency plan and competition at the position."
The Dolphins announced that Tagovailoa will be released after the start of the new league year on Wednesday. Coming out of college with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Miami spent the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft on him.
He's since spent six years with the Dolphins, showing promising glimpses with a Pro Bowl selection in 2023. However, he was benched by Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season after throwing for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 14 games.
The soon-to-be free agent will be released from his four-year, $212.4 million contract, which was supposed to run through the 2028 season. Atlanta is among a small handful of teams that Tagovailoa could join and compete for a starting spot.
Adding a veteran such as Tagovailoa would create more uncertainty for Penix ahead of his third season in the NFL. While recovering from such a gruesome injury, the 25-year-old would only face more difficulties establishing himself as the Falcons' franchise quarterback.
