Ever since he joined the Atlanta Falcons this past offseason, Tua Tagovailoa has been backing up Michael Penix Jr. with little complaint. If god forbid Penix gets injured, he'd be next in line to see the field, although he's a nice insurance policy to keep around just in case things go awry in Atlanta. But as long as he's healthy he'll remain the starter for the rest of the season at least.
With the NFL trade deadline less than a week away, there have been rumors that the Falcons could entertain trading Tagovailoa, but that doesn't seem like it'll be the case--especially not anymore. Penix is coming off a four-interception game in the loss to the Bucs, and the worst start of his
When the former top-10 pick was playing well, it was easy to label Tua as expendable, especially after Andy Dalton was signed for extra depth in the QB room. But the issue is that he's too inconsistent, and that dealing your backup means you're one injury away from having to turn to a 38-year-old, past his prime Dalton, and who's to say the Red Rifle is any better than Cooper Rush was currently?
The last thing the Falcons should want is for Penix to play poorly since he could prove to be their franchise quarterback--and at points this season he's looked like one. There have been high highs and low lows, and with a passer like that, you want to have one of the better backups in the NFL.
We don't know if the Dirty Birds are going to be buyers or sellers at Tuesday's deadline, and frankly it could go either way. But regardless of what they do, it doesn't seem like Tagovailoa will be moved--and honestly, he shouldn't be barring an overpay.
The Atlanta Falcons should not trade Tua Tagovailoa before the deadline
Yes, Week 8 was the anomaly of all anomalies, especially due to the monsoon the Falcons played in, but that doesn't excuse all of it. This was the worst start of Michael Penix Jr.'s career, and even though you're going to stick with him, his struggles make it harder to deal a QB like Tua.
Besides, it seems unlikely that there would be much of a market for him since his time in red and black hasn't gone according to plan.
Outside of the Baltimore Ravens, who just got Jacoby Brissett, it doesn't seem like there would be much interest in the former Pro Bowler. Nobody else needs a quarterback to play now. and those who do don't seem keen on taking a chance on one of the most mocked signal-callers in the modern NFL.
Is it really worth depleting your QB depth all in the name of an extra sixth or seventh-round pick? Frankly, I don't think so. First-year GM Ian Cunningham may love draft capital, but I'm sure even he can see the value in keeping him instead of tacking on an extra late Day 3 pick to Atlanta's 2027 total.
Having both Tua Tagovailoa and Andy Dalton means Atlanta will have their bases covered in case the 26-year-old continues to struggle, and he's only making the league minimum, so it's not like keeping him is tough on the books. Even the Dalton signing hasn't changed his status as the main backup.
Keeping a built-in mentor like Tua Tagovailoa makes for Penix. makes far too much sense, even if his limited action this season proves he's not who he once was. So while fans may be ready to get rid of Tua, expect him to stick around at the trade deadline, especially after Michael Penix Jr.'s rough day.
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