Ex-NFL QB Extremely Pessimistic About The Falcons' 2026 Outlook
If you have two quarterbacks, you have zero quarterbacks.
It’s one of the unspoken rules of the NFL, and Tim Hasselbeck believes it applies to the Atlanta Falcons in 2026.
Hasselbeck joined “NFL Live” to discuss the Falcons’ quarterback competition between Michael Penix Jr., whom they drafted eighth overall in 2024, and Tua Tagovailoa, who signed with Atlanta after the Miami Dolphins released him in March.
“I think Tua finds himself in an awesome situation,” the former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst said. “For the team, I think I hate it, if I’m just being real. Obviously, injury concerns with Penix, injury concerns with Tua. And I think, when you look at [Kevin] Stefanski and his time in Cleveland, they had a great defense. They had some really good players around the quarterback, but they couldn’t get good quarterback play. That’s why he ultimately ended up getting fired.”
Hasselbeck continued, “I’m surprised they moved as quickly as they did to sign Tua, and I think I have some reservations about the health of both guys and then the ability to play well, although the people around the quarterback are extremely talented.”
The Dolphins announced their intent to release Tagovailoa on March 9, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported later that day that the 2020 fifth overall pick had agreed to a one-year deal with the Falcons. Atlanta officially announced the signing on March 13.
The most obvious explanation for why the Falcons pounced on Tagovailoa is that he’s a left-handed quarterback like Penix Jr. With Penix Jr. recovering from his ACL reconstruction surgery, Tagovailoa could be the Week 1 starter. The offense wouldn’t have to adjust much if and when Penix Jr. reclaimed the job.
As for Stefanski, the Browns fired the two-time AP Coach of the Year in January. The Falcons hired him within two weeks. Cleveland had an ongoing carousel of quarterbacks under Stefanski, and the team went 45-56 in his six seasons at the helm.
The Falcons finished 8-9 last season but finished on a four-game winning streak.
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This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 6:57 PM.