Falcons Expected to Add Tua Tagovailoa

2026 Fantasy Football Impact

Your first reaction might be something like: Why would Tua sign a minimum deal, especially so early in the process? And there are likely two parts to the answer.

Atlanta Might Present His Best Opportunity

First of all, the situation fit looks excellent for Tagovailoa in Atlanta -- in multiple ways.

Former first-round QB Michael Penix Jr. still has two years left on his rookie deal, plus a club option for 2028. But he's coming off a mid-November knee injury that required surgery. Although he's aiming to be ready for Week 1, there's obviously no guarantee he will be.

So the Falcons present a chance for Tagovailoa to potentially open the year as a fill-in starter.

Moreover, Atlanta's heading into Year 1 under GM Ian Cunningham and HC Kevin Stefanski -- a regime that inherits Penix rather than having selected him. That factor affords Tagovailoa a shot to win starter duty beyond the "fill-in" phase if he plays well enough.

Tua Doesn't Need Next Team to Pay Him

Even after his release becomes official, Tagovailoa will remain the most expensive Dolphin for at least this season -- and probably the next two.

His final Miami contract carries dead-cap numbers through 2028 as well as actual money the team must still pay out.

So the QB not only doesn't need his 2026 contract to pay much. He might even be motivated to take less money to stick it to the Dolphins. (New salary offsets some of what the old team owes.)

That scenario works well for Atlanta, which will continue paying off its own QB-contract mistake (Kirk Cousins).

Cool -- So What About Fantasy Impact?

This will obviously depend on Penix's status throughout the summer.

Even in his place, Tagovailoa wouldn't likely become a fantasy difference maker. He never achieved that status with the Dolphins.

But he'd land in a solid spot for weekly upside, with WR Drake London, RB Bijan Robinson, and TE Kyle Pitts on his side.

Other Winners & Losers

Assuming this comes to fruition, Tagovailoa's arrival would look like at least a mild win for Penix.

We figured Atlanta would bring in someone relevant as either insurance or a challenger to the incumbent. Choosing this veteran cast-off who hasn't delivered much beyond good completion rates leaves plenty of room for a healthy Penix to reclaim the mantle.