Ian Cunningham Confirms Competition for Quarterback Position in the Falcons
Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham stated this Friday that the team has hired Tua Tagovailoa to directly compete with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting quarterback position. This statement marks a significant shift in the team’s strategy, generating expectations and speculation about the upcoming season. The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.3 million contract this week, following his release from the Miami Dolphins. Cunningham revealed that Tagovailoa was at the team’s facilities in Flowery Branch, Georgia, for medical examinations. “Tua knows he’s coming to compete,” Cunningham declared in a virtual press conference. “Just like Michael knows he’s coming to compete, and frankly everyone, not just those two in the quarterback position, but everyone is coming to compete.” Penix is still recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery on his left knee, suffered in November. Although he has expressed his intention to be ready for the first week of the season, his availability is still not confirmed, as the recovery from this injury usually takes between nine and twelve months. The Falcons’ former coaching staff had assured that Penix would be the starter as soon as he recovered. However, the new administration has not made the same promise. After the 2025 season, in which the team recorded an 8-9 record for the second consecutive year, the Falcons fired head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. The team has hired Kevin Stefanski, former coach of the Cleveland Browns, as the new head coach, and Cunningham, former assistant general manager of the Chicago Bears, as general manager. In addition, the Falcons have created a new position: president of football, which has been filled by the franchise’s former quarterback, Matt Ryan. Cunningham noted that Stefanski spoke with Penix and that he himself communicated with Penix’s agent before Tagovailoa’s hiring.The then-Falcons quarterback, Kirk Cousins, was surprised and confused when the Falcons selected Penix in the 2024 draft, at number 8, just weeks after signing Cousins to a guaranteed $100 million contract. Cousins lost the starting position to Penix at the end of the 2024 season, and then replaced him after the ACL tear. Tagovailoa’s cut, at 28 years old, will cost the Dolphins $67.4 million in “dead cap.” Tagovailoa represents a low-cost, high-potential signing for the Falcons. Although he has a concerning history of concussions and threw 15 interceptions last season, losing his starting position, he was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2023 and led the NFL in completion percentage in 2024. Tagovailoa, a left-handed quarterback like Penix, has completed 68% of his passes for 18,166 yards with 120 touchdown passes and 59 interceptions in his six-year career. Penix, 25 years old, has only started 12 games in his career. He has completed 59.6% of his passes for 2,757 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.“We don’t want to take anyone by surprise, that’s how we operate,” Cunningham said. “We want to have open conversations and communication, and I feel like we did that with Michael and Tua.”
Ian Cunningham, General Manager of the Atlanta Falcons
