The gap Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa has been closed in the Atlanta Falcons quarterback race, according to Yahoo Sports. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport says the lead Tagovailoa held is gone. Both players will now split first-team reps to settle the starting job. The competition is wide open and the pressure is on for both men.
Tagovailoa started with a huge advantage. He looked great during the offseason while Penix was stuck on the sideline. The organization wanted him to win the job and move forward as the starter. That plan relied on Penix staying injured for a while. But the knee injury healed faster than expected.
Penix needed surgery in the week of November 24, 2025, to address a partially torn ACL in his left knee. Before that hurt knee, he threw for 1,982 yards. He completed 60.1 per cent of his passes. Nine total touchdowns and three interceptions were recorded by him during the 2025 season. Now he is back and ready to fight.
Tagovailoa has not looked as sharp in the preseason. Both in practice and in games, Rapoport noted that he had been inconsistent. The gap that seemed so wide has shrunk to nothing. Rapoport explained that Tagovailoa 'had a big-time lead in this race'. That lead is under serious pressure now.
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed the split reps. This move proves the door is open for Penix. Rapoport stated that while he seems to have been practicing better the last couple of days, the door is open for Michael Penix. That quote from Rapoport sums up the whole situation perfectly.
#lead #michael #race
Tagovailoa started with a huge advantage. He looked great during the offseason while Penix was stuck on the sideline. The organization wanted him to win the job and move forward as the starter. That plan relied on Penix staying injured for a while. But the knee injury healed faster than expected.
Penix needed surgery in the week of November 24, 2025, to address a partially torn ACL in his left knee. Before that hurt knee, he threw for 1,982 yards. He completed 60.1 per cent of his passes. Nine total touchdowns and three interceptions were recorded by him during the 2025 season. Now he is back and ready to fight.
Tagovailoa has not looked as sharp in the preseason. Both in practice and in games, Rapoport noted that he had been inconsistent. The gap that seemed so wide has shrunk to nothing. Rapoport explained that Tagovailoa 'had a big-time lead in this race'. That lead is under serious pressure now.
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed the split reps. This move proves the door is open for Penix. Rapoport stated that while he seems to have been practicing better the last couple of days, the door is open for Michael Penix. That quote from Rapoport sums up the whole situation perfectly.
#lead #michael #race
2 months ago
