Tua Tagovailoa had his last chance to show that he deserved to be the starting quarterback in Atlanta, and head coach Kevin Stefanski is going to have a lot to think about after the quarterback’s efficient showing against his former team, the Miami Dolphins.
Some NFL analysts were split on how they felt this performance went and how it would translate to the regular season.
NFL Analysts React to Tua Tagovailoa’s Performance
Tagovailoa is locked in a QB competition with Michael Penix Jr., who is recovering from a torn ACL and hasn’t played in the preseason. Tagovailoa was brought in as insurance for Penix, but with the latter getting healthy, both are aiming to be the starter in Week 1.
In his final preseason game, Tagovailoa completed 7 of 8 passes for 95 yards with a brutal fumble on a snap exchange.
PFN’s Jason Katz credited Tagovailoa for his resilience after a tough preseason to show up in his final chance to prove himself.
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“Credit to Tua for stepping up after all the criticism over the past two weeks,” said Katz. “At this point, given that Michael Penix was just cleared for 11 on 11, have to consider Tua the favorite to start Week 1. But Penix will get in there sooner rather than later.”
Credit to Tua for stepping up after all the criticism over the past two weeks. At this point, given that Michael Penix was just cleared for 11 on 11, have to consider Tua the favorite to start Week 1. But Penix will get in there sooner rather than later.
— Katz (@jasonkatz13) August 29, 2026
Looking deeper at Tagovailoa’s performance revealed that Tagovailoa wasn’t stretching the field much and taking many risks.
“Short passes with tons of YAC. Fumbled snap. Nearly the full Tua experience back in Miami. Only missing a 3rd down scramble where he slides a yard before the line to gain and an interception thrown right at a linebacker,” said PFN’s Matt Infante.
Short passes with tons of YAC. Fumbled snap. Nearly the full Tua experience back in Miami. Only missing a 3rd down scramble where he slides a yard before the line to gain and an interception thrown right at a linebacker.
— Matt Infante (@MattInfante) August 29, 2026
Infante wasn’t the only analyst to point out his lack of passes downfield.
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“Under 4 air yards per throw, Tua does what Tua does, and it can work (2023). It can also be a dumpster fire. The numbers look good, but this doesn’t really move need for me in the fantasy space at all. Skill guys in ATL, sure. QB, no value,” said PFN’s Kyle Soppe.
Under 4 air yards per throw
Tua does what Tua does and it can work (2023)
It can also be a dumpster fire
The numbers look good, but this doesn’t really move need for me in the fantasy space at all
Skill guys in ATL, sure. QB, no value https://t.co/xoVWmlSrIU
— Kyle Soppe (@KyleSoppePFN) August 29, 2026
Tagovailoa’s fantasy outlook isn’t good and shouldn’t be on anyone’s radar. He isn’t even guaranteed to start in Atlanta, and PFN’s Ian Cummings thinks he shouldn’t.
“Even though we haven’t seen any of Michael Penix Jr. yet, the decision has to be to start him imo (in my opinion). Tua’s stat line was more efficient today, but a lot of rudimentary reads that won’t translate all the time during the regular season,” said Cummings.
Even though we haven’t seen any of Michael Penix Jr. yet, the decision has to be to start him imo
Tua’s stat line was more efficient today, but a lot of rudimentary reads that won’t translate all the time during the regular season
— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) August 29, 2026
Regardless of who wins the job, PFN’s Jacob Infante added that he is thrilled that the Bears got Caleb Williams and aren’t having wild QB competitions anymore.
“I would not like to be a Falcons fan. I’m getting flashbacks of those dreadful Bears QB battles of yesteryear,” said Infante.
I would not like to be a Falcons fan. I’m getting flashbacks of those dreadful #Bears QB battles of yesteryear https://t.co/cBWGl8jyQn
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) August 29, 2026
The Falcons will be under a microscope from the NFL community with the looming QB decision.
Tagovailoa, who ranked 28th on PFN’s QB Impact Rankings last season, will hope that he has shown enough to be under center in Week 1 as Stefanski weighs his options.
