Tua Tagovailoa Starts for Falcons in Preseason Opener Against Denver

Tua Tagovailoa is set to start for the Atlanta Falcons in their preseason opener against the Denver Broncos. The team has not yet named a starting quarterback for Week 1, but Tagovailoa is taking first-team reps while Michael Penix Jr. is sidelined due to ACL recovery.

Tagovailoa's experience gives him an advantage, with 76 career starts compared to Penix's 14. He has a completion rate of 68.0% and a passer rating of 96.4. The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to a one-year contract worth $1.3 million after his release from Miami, intending for him to compete for the starting role rather than serve as a backup.

While Tagovailoa will start against the Broncos, the competition for the starting job will be evaluated based on his performance in practices and preseason games. Penix, who had a strong showing in 2025 before his injury, is still limited to individual drills and has not participated in full-team practices. The Falcons will need to assess both quarterbacks' abilities before making a final decision for the regular season.