Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa has struggled so badly in training camp that Michael Penix has a chance to win the Week 1 starting job, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Rapoport said Atlanta planned to start Tagovailoa while Penix worked back from his knee injury, but Tua's play has made that "impossible."
What They're Saying: Tua Opened The Door
More from Rapoport: "A lot of people thought, especially those inside the Falcons organization, that Tua Tagovailoa would come in, earn the starting job, while Michael Penix rehabbed slowly. ... Just hasn't really happened quite like that unfortunately. Tua Tagovailoa has been up and down. Michael Penix Jr. has looked good. ... There are scenarios, especially if Tua goes out and really, really struggles this coming week, that Michael Penix actually seizes the job. And if he doesn't do it immediately, he is going to be lurking there for the season."
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Penix Still Just A QB3
Ouch!
It's rare to hear a national insider speak this candidly about a QB's struggles. Rapoport also isn't the first we've heard mention Tagovailoa's struggles. Tua didn't help himself by completing just 3 of 5 passes for 22 yards in his lone preseason appearance so far.
We're still projecting Tagovailoa to start the season under center for Atlanta considering Penix was cleared for 11-on-11 work less than a week ago. But we now project Penix to start 11 games, which pushes him ahead of Tagovailoa in the QB rankings.
It's still a QB room to avoid in fantasy drafts, but if you're scrounging for a QB3 in superflex or best ball, Penix is a better pick than Tagovailoa.
Other Winners & Losers: More Penix Helps London
More starts for Penix would be good news for WR Drake London, who's posted big volume and production with Penix. Here are London's splits with and without Penix over the last two seasons:
| With Penix | Without Penix | |
| Targets Per Game | 11.2 | 8.1 |
| Target Share | 34.9% | 26.4% |
| PPR Points Per Game | 20.4 | 13.9 |
London remains a rock-solid pick at his mid-second-round ADP.
