Falcons vs. Steelers Week 1: Quarterback Crisis and Coaching Debuts

The Atlanta Falcons travel to Acrisure Stadium for the 2026 regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. After an oblique injury on September 10 sidelined starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the Falcons named veteran Cooper Rush the starter. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. is inactive. The Steelers will start veteran Aaron Rodgers under new head coach Mike McCarthy; safety DeShon Elliott is on IR, and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is questionable because of a back injury and a contract dispute.

NFL Expert Picks: Who the experts are picking in Steelers vs. Falcons, Week 1

• Atlanta – Kevin Stefanski’s first regular-season game as head coach follows a 2025 season in which the Falcons finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs.

Where to watch Atlanta Falcons vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

• Pittsburgh – After 19 seasons, longtime coach Mike Tomlin stepped down. Mike McCarthy, formerly of Green Bay and Dallas, assumes the role, with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham overseeing a secondary that lost starter DeShon Elliott.

Pregame Week 1: Five Steelers Thoughts Ahead Of The Falcons Game

• Cooper Rush – 9-7 career record as a starter; 2025 season: 65.4 % completions, 303 passing yards, 0 TDs, 4 INTs.

Falcons Suffer Yet Another QB Injury ahead of Opener vs. Steelers

• Tua Tagovailoa – Career passer rating 96.4, 68 % completions, 6.6 adjusted net yards per attempt.

CBS Sports

• Falcons defense (2025) – Allowed the 12th-fewest receiving yards.

Sports Illustrated

• Steelers cornerback Jamel Dean – Allowed the fewest yards per target (4.7) and the lowest passer rating among outside corners (41.3) last season.

Sports Illustrated

• Kevin Stefanski said Tagovailoa’s injury is “disappointing” but expressed confidence that Rush is prepared, noting, “That’s the life of a backup quarterback.”

ESPN

• Patrick Graham explained the team’s “next-man-up” approach after Elliott’s loss, stressing that all defenders must meet the same standard of communication and effort.

Week 1 Injury Report (Falcons)

• Joey Porter Jr. – ESPN and NFL Network report that Porter is unlikely to play because of a back injury and a contract dispute, with a trade possibility still open. Steelers-focused outlets note that the team has elevated practice-squad cornerback Doneiko Slaughter, suggesting Porter may sit on the inactive list unless a contract is reached before kickoff.

ESPN

• “Year 1 of any system, for coaches and players, you get to know where the bones are buried on all these plays,” — Kevin Stefanski

Newsweek

• “It's our job to make sure we give our players a plan and then understand as much as it is about your opponent, who you respect and is a great opponent, it's also about you and how you perform,” — Kevin Stefanski

NFL Expert Picks: Who will win in Week 1, Falcons or Steelers?

• “No. Mike will be ready when he's ready,” — Kevin Stefanski

ESPN

The Falcons’ quarterback situation directly affects their offensive identity; starting a backup with limited first-team reps could limit scoring opportunities and place additional pressure on the running game led by Bijan Robinson. For the Steelers, the game tests Mike McCarthy’s system and the new secondary’s ability to perform without Elliott. Early results could set the tone for the 2026 season.

Sports Illustrated