The Atlanta Falcons thought their quarterback plan was taking shape, but Tua Tagovailoa’s recent struggles have changed the conversation. His preseason showing and work in practice have raised questions about whether he can open the season as Atlanta’s starter.
Now, a former NFL offensive lineman has questioned the Falcons’ decision to let such a harsh report become public.
Geoff Schwartz Reacts to Tua Tagovailoa’s Troubling Falcons Update
Former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz weighed in after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Tagovailoa’s play had made it “impossible” for Atlanta to name him the Week 1 starter. Later, Schwartz questioned why the Falcons would allow such a damaging assessment to surface.
“What a report. Falcons must dislike him to give this information out,” Schwartz wrote.
What a report. Falcons must dislike him to give this information out. https://t.co/kBZDy2Ruze
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) August 26, 2026
The comment comes after Tagovailoa endured a difficult stretch on the field. His preseason debut against the Denver Broncos produced only 22 passing yards on 3-of-5 throws. He also fumbled a shotgun snap on his second offensive play, while Atlanta managed only one first down during his nine snaps.
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Things did not improve during the Falcons’ joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts. Tagovailoa threw a pick-six, struggled to recognize pressure, and took multiple sacks during the session. He also fumbled a snap before taking a deep shot to Drake London that turned into a contested 50/50 ball, which London won to prevent the quarterback’s mistake from becoming more visible.
Those performances carry extra weight because Atlanta’s original plan called for Tagovailoa to start while Michael Penix Jr. continued recovering from his torn ACL. Penix has now returned to 11-on-11 team drills, giving him a chance to compete for the job as Tagovailoa tries to regain his footing.
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Tagovailoa’s contract also gives Atlanta plenty of room to make a change. The former Miami Dolphins quarterback signed a one-year deal worth $1.215 million with no guaranteed money or signing bonus. Miami remains responsible for most of his $54 million payout this season after releasing him, while Atlanta faces little financial exposure.
He ranked 28th on the PFN’s NFL QB Impact Metric last season, in part due to his high interception numbers.
This arrangement makes the quarterback competition easier for the Falcons to manage. If Tagovailoa cannot deliver a sharp response in the coming days, Penix could secure a clear path to the starting role without leaving Atlanta with a major financial problem.
For Schwartz, though, the bigger issue may be what the latest report says about Tagovailoa’s relationship with the Falcons. Right now, the quarterback’s struggles are no longer being treated as a quiet camp concern, with the situation now becoming a very public part of Atlanta’s Week 1 decision.
