Tua Tagovailoa To Start At QB Against Steelers

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Tua Tagovailoa has been selected as the Atlanta Falcons’ starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team announced the decision Monday after Tagovailoa’s monthslong competition with Michael Penix Jr. Penix started nine games for the Falcons in 2025 before a season-ending ACL injury in November. Coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Cooper Rush will back up Tagovailoa and Penix will be inactive. Tagovailoa signed a one-year deal with the Falcons in March after a six-year stint with the Miami Dolphins.