The Atlanta Falcons quarterback depth chart has Tua Tagovailoa as the starting quarterback entering Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, but the situation could change once Michael Penix Jr. is healthy enough to return.
Tagovailoa will start for Atlanta against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, September 13, with veteran Cooper Rush serving as the game-day backup.
Penix, meanwhile, continues working his way back from a surgically repaired knee.
So, what is the Falcons quarterback depth chart?
Atlanta currently has Tua Tagovailoa, Cooper Rush, Jack Strand and Michael Penix Jr. listed at quarterback, with Tagovailoa getting the Week 1 start.
Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Depth Chart
Here is Atlanta’s quarterback situation entering Week 1:
| QB | Player | Week 1 Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tua Tagovailoa | Starter |
| 2 | Cooper Rush | Game-day backup |
| 3 | Jack Strand | Reserve |
| 4 | Michael Penix Jr. | Recovering from knee injury / expected inactive |
The depth chart does not necessarily indicate how Atlanta’s quarterbacks will be ordered once Penix is fully healthy.
Who Is the Falcons Starting Quarterback?
Tua Tagovailoa is the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback for Week 1.
The former Miami Dolphins quarterback joined Atlanta on a one-year contract and competed for the starting position during the offseason.
However, Tagovailoa’s opportunity came in large part because Penix has not been healthy enough to fully compete for the job.
Tua now gets an opportunity to prove he should remain Atlanta’s starter even after Penix becomes available.
Who Is Tua Tagovailoa’s Backup?
Cooper Rush is expected to serve as Atlanta’s backup quarterback against Pittsburgh.
Rush gives the Falcons an experienced option behind Tagovailoa.
The veteran quarterback has previous NFL starting experience, which could become particularly important if Atlanta decides to make a change at quarterback during the season.
Rush could also potentially become the starter if Tagovailoa struggles while Penix remains unavailable.
What Happened to Michael Penix Jr.?
Michael Penix Jr. is recovering from a surgically repaired knee.
Atlanta is being cautious with Penix as he works toward returning to game action.
The issue is not simply whether Penix can physically throw and participate in football activities. The Falcons also need to be confident that he can protect himself while playing quarterback.
Until that happens, Penix is not expected to take over the starting position.
Will Michael Penix Jr. Replace Tua Tagovailoa?
That could eventually become the biggest question surrounding the Falcons’ quarterback situation.
Penix was viewed as an important part of Atlanta’s future before his knee injury.
Once Penix believes he is physically capable of playing and protecting his surgically repaired knee, Atlanta could potentially turn the offense over to him.
That means Tagovailoa may need to play well enough early in the season to make the decision more difficult.
Could Tua Tagovailoa Lose the Starting Job?
Yes. Tagovailoa’s status as Atlanta’s starting quarterback does not appear to be guaranteed for the entire season.
His performance during the opening weeks could determine how long he remains atop the depth chart.
If Tua struggles, Atlanta could eventually turn to Penix once he is healthy.
The Falcons also have Rush available if they believe a quarterback change is necessary before Penix is ready.
Could the Falcons Release Tua Tagovailoa?
There is reportedly a strong possibility Atlanta could release Tagovailoa if he loses the starting job.
That possibility could become even greater if the Falcons decide to replace Tua with Rush rather than simply transitioning back to Penix once Penix is healthy.
Tagovailoa signed a one-year, $1.21 million contract with Atlanta, meaning the Falcons made a relatively small financial investment in the veteran quarterback.
The Dolphins also still owe Tagovailoa significant guaranteed money from his previous contract, minus what he earns elsewhere.
That financial situation could make it easier for Atlanta to move on if the team determines Tua no longer provides value on the roster.
Why Week 1 Is Important for Tua Tagovailoa
Tagovailoa’s first regular-season start with Atlanta carries additional significance.
He will face the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium, the same stadium where he made his final start as a member of the Dolphins.
His performance there ultimately contributed to his benching and eventual departure from Miami.
Now, Tua returns to Pittsburgh with another opportunity to establish himself as an NFL starting quarterback.
A strong performance could help him strengthen his position atop Atlanta’s quarterback depth chart.
A poor performance could accelerate questions about whether the Falcons should turn to Rush or eventually Penix.
Falcons QB Situation Could Change Quickly
Atlanta enters the 2026 season with one of the NFL’s more intriguing quarterback situations.
For now, the order is clear on game day:
Tua Tagovailoa is the starter and Cooper Rush is the backup.
But the longer-term picture remains unsettled.
Penix’s recovery could eventually force Atlanta to make another decision at quarterback, while Rush provides the Falcons with an experienced alternative if Tua struggles before Penix is ready.
That makes Tagovailoa’s early-season performances particularly important.
Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Depth Chart FAQ
Is Tua Tagovailoa the Falcons starting quarterback?
Yes. Tua Tagovailoa is Atlanta’s starting quarterback entering Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
Who is the Falcons backup quarterback?
Cooper Rush is Atlanta’s game-day backup quarterback for Week 1.
Is Michael Penix Jr. playing?
Penix is still recovering from his surgically repaired knee and is expected to be unavailable for Week 1.
Will Michael Penix Jr. eventually start?
It is possible. Once Penix is healthy enough to play and protect himself, Atlanta could decide to move him back into the starting role.
Could the Falcons release Tua Tagovailoa?
Yes. There is reportedly a strong possibility Atlanta could release Tagovailoa if he is replaced as the starting quarterback.
Bottom Line
The Atlanta Falcons quarterback depth chart begins with Tua Tagovailoa entering Week 1, with Cooper Rush serving as his primary game-day backup while Michael Penix Jr. continues recovering from knee surgery.
But Atlanta’s quarterback situation remains fluid.
Tua has an opportunity to strengthen his hold on the starting job with strong performances early in the season. If he struggles, the Falcons could turn to Rush in the short term or Penix once their young quarterback is healthy enough to return.
For Tagovailoa, the stakes could extend beyond simply keeping the Falcons’ starting job. His performance during the opening weeks of the season could play a major role in determining the next stage of his NFL career.