The Atlanta Falcons are expected to sign quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, general manager Ian Cunningham said on Mar. 13, following reports that the Miami Dolphins would release Tagovailoa at the start of the new league year with a post-June 1 designation.
The anticipated signing is significant for the Falcons as it sets up a competition at the quarterback position. The team is looking to strengthen its roster after recent seasons and aims to foster open communication among players during this transition.
Cunningham said, “For Tua coming in here, he knows he’s coming in here to compete, like Michael (Penix Jr.) knows he is coming in to compete, everybody quite frankly, not just those two at the quarterback position. There are no starters right now.” Penix is currently recovering from a season-ending ACL injury and underwent surgery in November. Cunningham previously said of Penix, “I feel like he is doing a really good job. He’s coming in every single day, and he’s doing what he needs to do. We are confident that he is on track.”
Cunningham also addressed how head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke with Penix before pursuing Tagovailoa in free agency and noted his own conversation with Penix’s agent. “You don’t want to blindside somebody,” Cunningham said. “That’s just how we operate. We want to have open conversations and communication. I feel like we did that in regards to Michael and Tua.” He added that Tagovailoa was undergoing medical evaluations Friday morning as part of standard procedure before signing.
Tagovailoa started six seasons for Miami, compiling a 44-32 record. In 2022, he led the league in passer rating, yards per attempt and touchdown percentage; in 2023, he led with 4,624 passing yards and helped secure an 11-6 record for the Dolphins along with a postseason appearance.
“We are really excited about what we were able to accomplish this week,” Cunningham said regarding free agency moves overall. “… We really went into this free agency looking to elevate our floor, adding depth pieces but also players who have had starting experience that can start and have shown they are able to start in this league.”
The Atlanta Falcons compete in the National Football League’s NFC South division according to their official website. The team began as an expansion franchise in 1965 and has advanced twice to the Super Bowl—in 1998 and again in 2016—according to their official website. The Falcons are based in Atlanta, Georgia according to their official website, where Freddie the Falcon serves as mascot according to their official website.
