The Atlanta Falcons have a quarterback competition brewing between soon-to-be third-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and former Miami Dolphins Pro Bowler Tua Tagovailoa. Amid the conversation, newly appointed head coach Kevin Stefanski offered insight into Penix’s injury and what it may mean for the group moving forward.
What Kevin Stefanski Said About the Falcons’ Quarterback Competition
On Sunday afternoon, Bobby Kownack of NFL.com published an article detailing his and Stefanski’s thoughts on their recent acquisition of Tagovailoa and the expectations for the quarterback competition this fall.
Kownack wrote: “Tagovailoa still must earn his chance to prove naysayers wrong, of course. Penix, a 2024 first-rounder similarly looking to rewrite his narrative after failing to cement himself as the Falcons’ future, has the same clean slate under a new regime. He’ll factor into the quarterback equation as soon as he’s fully recovered from his partially torn ACL.”
Kownack included quotes from Stefanski: “Tua was a good fit for us… I think the football fit, the personal fit, I think he’s looking for a place where he can go and compete for a starting job, and that’s what we are offering to him. I think he’s somebody that has always competed in career, look back at his time at Alabama, so him coming in, and he wants to do what’s best for this football team, we’re excited to have him.”
The head coach later praised Penix as well. “I’m excited for Mike to get back out there,” Stefanski said. “He has the right attitude. He is in the building every day, all day, rehabbing to get ready to go. I don’t have a timeline on what that looks like or when that will happen, but he’ll be ready to put his best foot forward.”
This past season, Tagovailoa appeared in 14 games for the Dolphins. The sixth-year quarterback only managed 190 passing yards per game while totaling 20 touchdowns to 15 interceptions. According to PFSN’s metrics, Tagovailoa posted a 72.2 QB Impact Score, ranking 27th among all passers and recording his worst finish since his rookie campaign.
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Comparatively, Penix started 9 games for the Falcons before eventually suffering a season-ending ACL tear. The former eighth overall pick averaged 220.2 passing yards per game, recording 10 total touchdowns to 3 interceptions. He finished the year with a 70.1 Impact Score and placed 31st among quarterbacks.
