FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons are expected to sign quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The move was reported by multiple league sources earlier this week, and the Miami Dolphins announced they would release the quarterback at the start of the new league year with a post-June 1 designation.
Though the signing isn't official yet, Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham discussed the decision to agree to terms with Tagovailoa on Friday morning.
"For Tua coming in here, he knows he's coming in here to compete, like Michael (Penix Jr.) knows he is coming in to compete, everybody quite frankly, not just those two at the quarterback position," Cunningham said. "There are no starters right now."
Penix is working through a season-ending ACL injury that he underwent surgery to repair in November. At the NFL Scouting Combine in late February, Cunningham said Penix is "where he should be" in his recovery.
"I feel like he is doing a really good job," Cunningham said of Penix in February. "He's coming in every single day, and he's doing what he needs to do. We are confident that he is on track."
Cunningham said head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke to Penix when the Falcons knew pursuing Tagovailoa was the direction they were going in free agency. The general manager said he also spoke with Penix's agent.
"You don't want to blindside somebody," Cunningham explained. "That's just how we operate. We want to have open conversations and communication. I feel like we did that in regards to Michael and Tua."
Tagovailoa compiled a 44-32 record during six seasons as the Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback. In 2022, he led the league in passer rating, yards per attempt and touchdown percentage. In 2023, Tagovailoa led the league with 4,624 passing yards and helped the Dolphins achieve an 11-6 record and a spot in the postseason.
Cunningham said Tagovailoa was going through medical evaluations Friday morning, which every player undergoes before signing with a new team.
"We are really excited about what we were able to accomplish this week," Cunningham said of the Falcons' first wave of free agency in totality. "... We really went into this free agency looking to elevate our floor, adding depth pieces but also players who have had starting experience that can start and have shown they are able to start in this league."
