To say the Atlanta Falcons are in a mess at the quarterback position might be the understatement of the century. With both Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa dealing with injuries, Atlanta was forced to turn to Cooper Rush in the season opener against the Steelers--and that went about as disastrously as you could've imagined.
In the 20-13 loss, Rush was the reason the offense had such a hard time moving the football. Per Justin Fried, he had the worst ADOT of any Week 1 starting quarterback by a margin that was as large as the Grand Canyon--and it all but confirmed the Falcons cannot trot him out there again in Week 2.
some are calling him top-5 QB in the NFL Geno Smith pic.twitter.com/Am2qctBzzc
— Justin Fried (@JustinTFried) September 14, 2026
The veteran backup threw two interceptions and if it wasn't for Bijan Robinson, this offense would have been downright putrid. But we have to remember here, he only started because of a doomsday-level scenario at quarterback, but I think Kevin Stefanski learned his lesson: he knows he has to roll with Penix so they can open up the playbook and potentially get to 1-1 next weekend.
The Atlanta Falcons cannot start Cooper Rush again under any circumstance
The good news here is that Michael Penix Jr. is reportedly "real close" to returning from his ACL tear, and it doesn't seem like a stretch that he's able to make his return in Week 2. And the home opener against the Panthers badly needs the Falcons to field competent QB play to prevent an 0-2 start.
The Falcons have made been trying to play it safe with the former top-10 pick, but that's a luxury they no longer have. He's coming off three straight full practice sessions and was cleared for full contact three weeks ago, so if he is able to practice in full again throughout this coming week, he should start.
There is no way a less-than-100% Penix would've been worse than what we saw yesterday. Even with him at 80 or 90%, they probably leave Pittsburgh with a W. Cooper Rush is proving the Dirty Birds can't keep taking chances with backups who aren't playable when he's progressing every single day.
The fact of the matter is that if the 26-year-old is healthy, he'll start. Right now that's the question, and while not rushing him back has been Stefanski's optimal strategy, things change on a dime in this business--and the Falcons have no choice to start one of Penix or Tua given how Rush performed. You have to start the guy who gives you the best shot to win, and it's obvious who that is.
The last thing you want is to start 0-2 with three consecutive primetime games on the horizon, and you should know by now Rush doesn't give you the best shot to win. And the fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium aren't gonna show up to see him start--which complicates the QB1 decision even further.
Right now, we have no idea who the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback will be in Week 2, but it can't be Cooper Rush--and if all goes right, it should probably be Michael Penix Jr. taking the field for the first time since November.
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