The Atlanta Falcons are starting to realize they can't trust Michael Penix Jr. to stay consistently healthy, and in the event he goes down, they wouldn't exactly be comfortable with the state of their quarterback room. Tua Tagovailoa, Cooper Rush, and Jack Strand is how this team started 0-2.
Tua Tagovailoa proved in the loss to the Ravens that he's borderline unplayable, and given Penix injured his ribs in Week 5 and spent time in the medical tent in Week 6, the Falcons are making sure they have insurance, so according to Adam Schefter, they're reportedly signing QB Andy Dalton.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Falcons are releasing Cooper Rush in a corresponding move, so the Red Rifle will likely step in as the emergency third QB on gamedays and possibly push Tua Tagovailoa for the backup job--so unless something goes seriously wrong, he won't play,
However, Penix is just 16 starts deep and coming off of a torn ACL, so it's smart for Atlanta to play it safe and cover their bases. And now that he's dealing with this rib issue, though it isn't severe, being mindful of any possible ailment that could sideline your current franchise QB helps you get ahead.
And while Dalton isn't the most ideal option, nobody can doubt he's a hell of a lot better than Cooper Rush and could be a really good mentor for Michael Penix Jr. in this QB room, who has finally looked the part of a former top-10 pick this season.
The Falcons aren't signing ex-Pro Bowler Andy Dalton for no reason
This doesn't seem like a dead giveaway that Penix got re-injured or is in danger of missing time, but it's certainly something to watch. It sounds like this is Kevin Stefanski wanting to be prepared. But unfortunately, the three-time Pro Bowler did not have the strongest start to the 2026.
The 38-year-old spent the season with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he briefly had to step in for Jalen Hurts on Monday Night Football against the Bears. And in his limited action on a short field, he attempted just one pass, which resulted in Dalton throwing an ugly interception in the end zone.
Nine days later, the Eagles cut him, where they reportedly asked him to return but he declined, so it's not like the work opportunities dried out for him or the Falcons prevented a possible retirement.
And his release doesn't mean he's not a quality journeyman, He was a backup to Bryce Young the last couple of seasons with Carolina before Philadelphia acquired him in March, and has bounced around the league since leaving Cincinnati, having backup stints in Dallas, Chicago, and New Orleans.
Dalton has started 36 games across the last six seasons, but he also has 169 career starts under his belt. If you think the Dirty Birds can't use another veteran in the QB room given both Penix and Tagovailoa aren't the most reliable in two completely different ways, you would be dead wrong. You don't want to have to turn to Rush or Strand again if things go off the rails injury-wise.
And given the former top-10 pick is currently dinged up, it's good to bring someone in with that wealth of experience amid his injury scare. It's no debate he's better than Rush and worth debating he's better than Tagovailoa currently, so it's not like there's much risk involved in this signing.
The Atlanta Falcons' main goal has been to play it safe with Michael Penix Jr. knowing his injury history, and Andy Dalton, while not a major signing, will make it easier to do so.
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