Tua Tagovailoa’s Faltering Preseason Debut Highlights Falcons’ Quarterback Competition

In the Falcons’ preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa led two first-quarter drives before being replaced by Cooper Rush. He completed three of five passes for 22 yards, posted a 39.6 passer rating, and recorded no touchdowns or interceptions. A mishandled shotgun snap on the second play resulted in a four-yard loss and a three-and-out punt. On the subsequent drive he connected with tight end Kyle Pitts for an 11-yard gain that produced the team’s sole first down before the drive stalled and ended with a second punt. The Falcons ultimately lost 27–7, with the Broncos building a 24-point halftime lead.

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Tagovailoa joined Atlanta on a one-year, $1.3 million contract after the Miami Dolphins released him, a move announced on March 9. The signing was intended to provide experience and depth at quarterback while the team evaluates the 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr., who is still recovering from a torn left-knee ACL and has not participated in 11-on-11 drills. Because Penex remains unavailable, Tagovailoa entered the preseason as the de-facto starter for the opening game.

Heavy

• Passing: 3/5 completions, 22 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 39.6 passer rating.

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• Punts: two punts (first a three-and-out netting four yards; second after a first-down gain from the 15- to the 32-yard line).

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• First-down passes: one 11-yard completion to Kyle Pitts (four of Tagovailoa’s five targets went to Pitts).

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• Broncos defense: entered the game with the league-best sack total from the prior season.

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Head coach Kevin Stefanski emphasized the limited sample size, noting that the team planned to give Tagovailoa only the first series or roughly ten plays. Third-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Heavy

• “Frustrated and disappointed at the way things happened tonight as we went out there,” — Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, head coach

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• “Just thinking about it, what we put out there is not a reflection of the hard work that we've put in the first two weeks into training camp and it does no justice for the work that our coaches, as well, have implemented,” — Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, head coach

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• “I evaluate the entire offense in that regard,” — Kevin Stefanski, falcons coach

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• “We're not there to name a starter for Week 1,” — Kevin Stefanski, falcons coach

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• “This one, to me, feels like this is Tua’s job to lose,” — Ben DiNucci

Heavy

The Falcons travel to Pittsburgh for their regular-season opener on September 13, where the quarterback competition will again be a focal point as the team seeks to solidify its starter before the season fully begins.

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