Former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be taking the field with the first team on Friday when the Atlanta Falcons kickoff against the Denver Broncos.
Tagovailoa, who joined Atlanta this offseason, is currently competing for the full-time job as the team’s former first round pick and third year player, Michael Penix, recovers from a knee injury.
However new head coach Kevin Stefanski was still reluctant to name Tagovailoa the starter despite his experience in the league.
“We’re not there to name a starter for Week 1,” Stefanski said according to ESPN. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”
Tagovailoa originally entered the league in 2020 with the Miami Dolphins after being selected with the fifth overall pick. After recovering from a hip injury from his days with the Crimson Tide, Tagovailoa took off during his third season in the NFL alongside head coach Mike McDaniel.
He would be named a Pro Bowler in 2023 where he led the NFL in passing yards and lead the Dolphins to the playoffs.
But Tagovailoa would suffer several concussion throughout the final two seasons of his time in Miami with his on-field play deteriorating. In 2025, Tagovailoa threw 15 interceptions in 14 starts and would be replaced by Quinn Ewers to end the year.
With a new head coach and general manager in place, Miami ultimately opted to release Tagovailoa where he ultimately signed with the Falcons.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
