It's no secret Atlanta Falcons are one of the weirdest teams in the NFL right now, and the reason for that is the issues at the quarterback position. They've been forced to start Cooper Rush for the first two games of 2026, so it's no surprise that they're sitting at 0-2 entering a stretch that'll be defined by three consecutive primetime matchups after Rush was benched for rookie Jack Strand on Sunday.
But the good news is that the Rush era is no more. He was only starting because the Falcons were dealing with injuries to both Michael Penix Jr, and Tua Tagovailoa, but even on a short week, the team was optimistic Penix would return--later officially naming him their Week 3 starter for Thursday Night's game against the Packers.
The Falcons have been stuck in quarterback purgatory ever since Matt Ryan was traded, and he's now the president of football--and that's telling. And since the QB controversy clearly isn't going anywhere, I've thought of a way to evaluate them all-- a weekly QB confidence meter for all four signal-callers on the roster.
The grading curve was created by yours truly, and it goes just like any other scale: 10 being prime Tom Brady and 1 being the worst you can get, which is someone like Diego Pavia in my eyes.
Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
10 | Josh Allen-level dangerous | The NFL's best QB. |
9 | Post-LSU Joe Shiesty | Top 5 but not Top 3 |
8 | Matt Ryan in his hayday | Ultra consistent, under-appreciated |
7 | Basically another Brock Purdy | Someone you can win with, but not because of |
6 | There's potential if things go right | There is 1 major red flag, but enough reason to believe. |
5 | 'Back To The Future' this thing | Can a washed-up guy turn back the clock? |
4 | Give me Arch Manning | Solid backup, but I'd rather have the No. 1 pick anyways. |
3 | Only in the event of an emergency | Unless the QB room is shot to hell with injuries. |
2 | Practice Squad call-up | Someone to stash on the practice squad until they need to be called up. |
1 | Get ready to learn UFL buddy | No business being on an NFL roster in any way. |
All four of Tua Tagovailoa, Jack Strand, Cooper Rush, and Michael Penix Jr. fall somewhere on this scale, but let's dive into where entering a short week.
How confident are we in the Falcons QB room after another brutal loss?
Michael Penix Jr. -- 6
Michael Penix Jr. is one of the hardest quarterbacks in the NFL to evaluate. The former top-10 pick has all the arm talent in the world and can make all of the throws asked of him. But he's made just 12 starts, and is 4-8 is a starter, so flashes of potential won't cut it anymore--he actually has to prove he's a franchise quarterback.
The one roadblock in that area is his health. He's coming off of a torn ACL (his third in the last seven years) suffered last November and still has yet to return. While the upside is there once he returns, the question is if he can stay healthy consistently--and how the knee will affect his development.
We're coming up on nearly a month of Penix being cleared for full contact, so and he's now confirmed to be the starter in Green Bay--and possibly for the rest of the season if he plays well. But that doesn't mean his future is set in stone.
If the 26-year-old struggles, the new regime won't hesitate to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2027 Draft, so while seeing him finally return is a good thing, it doesn't tell the whole story.
Tua Tagovailoa -- 5
In a weird way, Tua Tagovailoa's injury is more alarming than Michael Penix Jr.'s. He dealt with back issues at the start of training camp and is now dealing with an oblique issue--but his chances of returning in Week 3 don't feel as clear as Penix's. And even if he is back, I highly doubt he starts.
At this stage of his career, Tua is a replacement-level starter or bridge guy. Last season in Miami proved that. Perhaps he can still turn back the clock to his Pro Bowl days, but considering how his injuries have been an issue, I doubt it. Besides, he's no better than Rush in not attacking defenses downfield.
The Dirty Birds may want to see if he's got anything left in the tank, but he won't start unless Penix isn't ready.
Cooper Rush-- 3
I debated giving him a 2 after his Week 2 stinker, but I decided that was too harsh. Cooper Rush was meant to be an emergency quarterback for the Falcons, so it's only right he play like one. But three turnovers and constantly throwing behind receivers is bad, especially for a veteran journeyman.
Rush is dead last among qualified starters in passer rating (42.5) and 41st out of 42 QBs to see the field in both EPA per play (-0.75) and total EPA (-34.62). Only Aaron Rodgers is worse. The turnovers are bad, and the fact that starting him is giving Tommy Rees nothing to work with as a play-caller makes things harder on this new regime. They never wanted or expected him to see the field.
Frankly, Jack Strand should probably be the QB3, because Rush has no business ever seeing an NFL field again, even when injuries hit. At this point, he's making it that Atlanta doesn't even need to roster four QBs anymore once Penix and Tua are healthy.
Cooper Rush looked truly dysfunctional out there and it's time to move on.
Jack Strand-- 4
Lastly but most certainly not least, we have The Passtronaut. While people were hopping on the Strand-wagon this summer, his preseason success is proof that this is a process. His first taste of NFL action against the Panthers didn't go as planned, but he also entered a horrible situation.
Jahan Dotson bobbled his first pass attempt that later became a pick-six. He didn't get to work with Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson, and he was not prepped for NFL action at all. That's his fault, but given he's younger, smarter, and more mobile than Rush, it also makes him more rosterable.
At this point, Jack Strand has the potential to be a quality backup (more like a QB3) if he gets to develop, and Kevin Stefanski will continue that growth. Maybe we get to see more of him near the end of the year, but an UDFA out of a D-2 school isn't enough to say no to Dante Moore.
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