It appears that the Atlanta Falcons are handing the early advantage in the team's quarterback competition to Tua Tagovailoa, with the veteran quarterback shining in minicamp. A big piece of this has been Michael Penix Jr. working his way back from last season's injury, as well as the obvious advantage of experience. Tagovailoa's accuracy has been praised, something that fans aren't used to seeing after the past two years of Kirk Cousins.
Prior to Cousins, the fanbase was forced to watch Marcus Mariota, Taylor Heinicke, and Desmond Ridder as the team's starting options. With this in mind, it isn't a shock that Tagovailoa's ability to fit the ball into tight windows is jumping out to Atlanta's coaching staff and pundits. It is a rare accomplishment over the past four seasons for the Falcons to have a quarterback capable of making consistent throws.
To say Tagovailoa is the early favorite is more than fair, even if it doesn't give the Falcons their best chance to find a long-term answer. Penix makes more sense when it comes to Atlanta being sure of their future with either the quarterback being a clear franchise option or the team being bad enough to put itself into a position to draft one of next offseason's top signal callers.
Falcons Appear to be Setting up Tua Tagovailoa as Week 1 Starter After Early Competition Wins
However, it seems Atlanta is content with betting on Tagovailoa getting an opportunity to become the next jettisoned top pick to find redemption. Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Ryan Tannehill all stand out as recent examples of players whose first franchises gave up on them only to become franchise quarterbacks and playoff winners in new landing spots.
There are far more examples of this failing than working, but it isn't impossible that Tagovailoa brings stability to the Falcons. It appears that this is increasingly the possibility that the franchise will opt to explore unless Penix is able to take over in Atlanta's camp, leading to a great preseason showing.
It is far from decided who Atlanta's Week 1 starter will be, but there is no denying Tagovailoa's early advantage or the inside track the experience offers. Atlanta fans can't help but wonder how the franchise will manage the competition the rest of the summer.
Both quarterbacks are taking it in stride, but Penix is clearly at a disadvantage based on lesser experience and coming off an injury. Perhaps giving Tagovailoa one last chance to find redemption and prove himself a franchise quarterback.
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