Tua Tagovailoa should stop Atlanta's annual quarterback reset
The Falcons have named six different Week 1 starters in six seasons.
WIWire Report Intelligence·Updated 52m·1 min read
Falcons Week 1 starting QB by season:
🏈2021: Matt Ryan
🏈2022: Marcus Mariota
🏈2023: Desmond Ridder
🏈2024: Kirk Cousins Via @AdamSchefter on X
What happened: The Atlanta Falcons named Tua Tagovailoa their 2026 Week 1 starter after Michael Penix Jr. held the role in 2025. Kirk Cousins, Desmond Ridder and Marcus Mariota opened the previous three seasons.
Why it matters: Tagovailoa arrives with a 44-32 career record as an NFL starter. That proven track record makes another one-year reset unacceptable for Atlanta.