Tua Tagovailoa appears to be in pole position for the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback job, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Tagovailoa has received all the first-team reps in practice and is likely to get the starting nod for Week 1 based on the way training camp is unfolding, Rapoport adds.
The Falcons were expected to have a quarterback battle in training camp, but it hasn't played out as such. Michael Penix Jr. still hasn't been cleared for full participation in camp as he works his way back from knee surgery. Penix, who started nine games for Atlanta in 2025, suffered a partially torn ACL last November.
Tagovailoa also missed the start of the camp due to a back injury.
The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to a one-year contact in March following his release from the Miami Dolphins. The 28-year-old finished his final year in Miami on the bench after throwing 15 interceptions while guiding the team to a 6-8 record.
Tagovailoa, the fifth overall pick in the 2020 draft, is aiming to recapture his previous form with the Falcons. He earned a Pro Bowl invite in 2023 after leading the NFL with 4,624 passing yards and throwing 29 touchdowns to 14 interceptions.
