Tua Tagovailoa will start for the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday as he returns to the stadium where he made his final start with the Miami Dolphins, but his future in Atlanta appears uncertain.
Tua essentially won Atlanta’s starting job because Michael Penix Jr. is still recovering from knee surgery. Once Penix is healthy enough to play and protect himself, he is expected to take over. Veteran Cooper Rush is another potential replacement.
There is reportedly a “strong possibility” the Falcons could release Tagovailoa if he loses the starting job, particularly if Atlanta turns to Rush instead of Penix. Tua signed a one-year, $1.21 million contract, making Atlanta’s financial commitment relatively small.
His performance has also raised concerns. After leading the NFL in passing yards in 2023, Tagovailoa has struggled as defenses have adjusted to his style of play, and those issues were noticeable during the preseason.
Sunday therefore represents a major opportunity for Tua. A strong performance could help him hold onto the Falcons’ starting job, while continued struggles could lead to his benching and potentially his release. If released, his willingness and ability to serve as a backup could determine whether another NFL team signs him.
Bottom line: Tua is Atlanta’s starter for now, but his performance Sunday could have major implications not only for his future with the Falcons, but potentially for the remainder of his NFL career.