James Palmer shares what he’s hearing about Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa’s QB competition.
The Atlanta Falcons have a roster full of playmakers on both sides of the ball, but the fate of their 2026 NFL season will likely come down to quarterback play. Veteran Tua Tagovailoa signed a one-year deal with the Falcons upon being released by the Miami Dolphins.
Tagovailoa is set to battle Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job this season. However, it appears Tagovailoa has an early advantage due to Penix’s injury. The third-year Falcons quarterback has yet to be cleared for contact as he recovers from ACL surgery.
NFL insider James Palmer provided an update on Atlanta’s quarterback competition ahead of training camp. Palmer explained that while Tagovailoa is in the lead, Penix has a legitimate shot if he gets healthy before the start of camp.
“Even though it’s wide open, Tua is kind of the front-runner with an asterisk,” explained Palmer. “Now, when does Michael Penix Jr. become medically cleared? Now, my understanding is there is a chance he could be medically cleared to participate in full at the start of training camp. If that’s the case — don’t rule that out — that’s a really, really big step for Michael Penix Jr. to really make this as even as possible because that’s really where this stands.”
Palmer then went on to talk about Tua’s exit from Miami and early fit in Atlanta.
“There were some things that transpired in Miami — I was told — towards the end of his time there that will not be factors for him in Atlanta,” said Palmer. “Some of the things that maybe impacted his play and impacted where he was as a football player that were happening in Miami at the end are not present in Atlanta. So you’re seeing him operate in a system that a lot of people close to him believe is very favorable.”
The Falcons aren’t feeling the pressure to play Penix because the general manager and head coach that drafted him are no longer with the team. Essentially, Stefanski has no reason to favor either quarterback because he hasn’t invested anything into the competiton.
If Penix plays better, there’s no reason for Stefanski to favor Tua, and vice versa. Palmer called the Falcons quarterback battle “wide open” and it’s hard to disagree.
“Wide open, but right now, Tua has the advantage because he’s been healthy.”
The Falcons still have a few more weeks to get ready for training camp, which begins on July 29 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. That gives Penix a little more time to get healthy, which could be ultimately be the difference in this competition.
