The Atlanta Falcons have namedTua Tagovailoa the Week 1 starter, and yet there are already injury concerns around the quarterback as well as clear turnover questions. Naming Tagovailoa the team's starter was due to Michael Penix Jr. being unable to prove himself healthy and had nothing to do with true ability or trust in a quarterback that Miami is actively paying to play anywhere else, while taking a clear risk on Malik Willis.
No question, the Falcons had better options on the table in the offseason and that has grown increasingly clear over last weeks. Leading us to take a look at a handful of options that made far more sense over the current starter.
1. Kirk Cousins
Cousins may not be a great option, but at least you're already paying the veteran and there is a level of established chemistry. Going from Cousins to Tagovailoa is a lateral move at best, and can easily be argued that it was a downgrade based on the results of Week 1. It will be interesting to watch how the current Las Vegas Raiders quarterback navigates his time starting for another team and looking at the active comparison to Tagovailoa.
It simply is difficult to argue that it was the right decision to part ways with Cousins if you're not going to embrace tanking or bring in an obvious upgrade.
2. Joe Flacco
One of the league's oldest players still showed off his arm last season and a willingness to let the ball fly downfield. Considering Atlanta's current weapons, it would be far more entertaining to have watched Flacco for a handful of games and understand that turnovers are going to happen. At least with the older option in Flacco, you have the upside of big plays and a more entertaining brand of offense.
Having a bridge option in Flacco at least signals an awareness of where you are when it comes to NFC standings and offers a far more entertaining brand of offense.
3. Marcus Mariota
Bringing back the former Falcon with a chance to start as a bridge quarterback makes more sense than Tagovailoa in the fact you have more options with Mariota as a runner. Atlanta saw glimpses of capability with Mariota under center and could at least embrace the idea of tanking and having a quarterback capable of giving Atlanta one of the league's best rushing attacks when paired with Bijan Robinson.
No question, this is he tyep of move that lets Falcons fans know you're embracing Penix while keeping the door open to making a push for one of next offseason's top quarterback prospects.
4. Justin Fields
Much of what was just said about Mariota can be copied and pasted here underestanding thatat this point of his career Fields is very unlikely to offer anything of note as a starter. Still, the quarterback plays an entertaining brand of offense and isn't afraid to take off or push the ball down the field. This combination would offer Atlanta a fun duo even if it isn't going to win the team many games.
Fields makes a great deal of sense as well when you consider the fact you're not going to have to pay top-dollar and can easily escape the deal with the Chiefs adding the quarterback for a late-round pick.
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