During the Atlanta Falcons' 30-23 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Michael Penix Jr.'s rib injury paved the way for Tua Tagovailoa to get his first regular season-snaps of 2026 back in the building where he entered the game late and led Alabama to the national championship in 2018.
The storyline would've written itself had he led the Falcons down the field for a game-tying drive, especially for a guy looking to turn his career around, but instead, the moment was too big, Because the Ravens milked all the clock with their overtime drive, Atlanta couldn't rely on the run game they way they wanted, which means they actively put the ball in Tua's hands--which did not end well.
At first he looked solid. His first play from scrimmage was a 20-yard gain to Drake London, but then the Tua Tagovailoa experience took shape. On the very next play, Tua threw a meatball sub that sailed into the arms of Kyle Hamilton for a game-sealing interception, sealing an agonizing defeat on SNF.
KYLE HAMILTON PICKS IT OFF! @RAVENS WIN! pic.twitter.com/CbkK3CiuUN
— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2026
This is a particularly bad taste to swallow because this was a game that was winnable. It was a game they should've won. And before he got hurt, Penix was absolutely dealing, but instead, no one will remember it because his backup quarterback who is a shell of his former shelf ruined everything.
Frankly, Tua's redemption arc is about to end before it even begins, as even a scenery change and a better situation on offense can't help him unlock his former Pro Bowl self.
Tua Tagovailoa has no business touching the field for the Atlanta Falcons
I know it sounds like I'm a prisoner of the moment after watching Tagovailoa play just three snaps, but it was enough of a sample size to learn that nothing has changed. Even in an offense designed to take pressure off of him, he's still committing some of the most inexcusable turnovers you will ever see.
The Falcons signed the 28-year-old for the league minimum during free agency, thinking he'd be a low-stakes insurance policy in the QB room. They gave him backup money. He should be a backup. So rather than go in there trying to prove himself as a starter, he should just accept his new normal.
Right now, it looks like the 15 interceptions he threw in 2025 were no fluke, but are more a sign of who Tua is at this stage of his career. He can be a short-term starter if need be, but you're going to witness just as many head-scratching moments as you will moments that'll make you feel encouraged.
The worst part is knowing that if the Falcons started with the ball in overtime, they would have been able to do what the Ravens did and run the clock. They would've been able to run the offense their way, and Penix would've been out there--but the longer wait made the pain management more unbearable to the point Tua had to play. The good news is that who is QB1 is officially no debate.
Thank god Michael Penix Jr.'s injury doesn't seem to be long-term because I don't think my heart rate could handle watching Tua Tagovailoa start for an entire game or even multiple. At this point he's bordering on unplayable.
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