The Cleveland Browns will feature three quarterbacks compete for the starter role: two rookies entering their second year (Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel) and one inconsistent veteran (Deshaun Watson). This ‘competing for the starting job’ condition has reached the Atlanta Falcons facility.The Miami Dolphins let go of Tua Tagovailoa in March 2026. The release cost Miami an NFL-record $99M in dead cap. Anyhow, after he became a free agent, he quickly (within hours) signed a one-year deal with Ian Cunningham’s franchise. But there’s a catch: Tagovailoa may have to compete with QB Michael Penix Jr. for the starter role.
NFL Trade News : Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa to compete with Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.
This offseason, Atlanta lost immensely productive veteran Kirk Cousins after only two short seasons. He had signed a four-year, $180M contract in March 2024.Anyhow, Cousins recorded unbelievable stats in the two years he played for the Falcons: 5,229 yards, 28 TDs, and 21 INTs in 24 games. He took away $100 million for his elite production, never to return. Why did he leave? In 2024, he was a starter. A 2024 draft pick in Atlanta, Michael Penix Jr., was his backup.But in 2025? Upside-down picture. Cousins was the backup. And Penix was the starter. He filled in for penis. Result? The second-year QB suffered a season-ending ACL injury and could only play for nine games. Cousins took over the fort and clocked 5-3 as a starter and even won the final four games for the Falcons.Anyhow, Penix suffered an injury in Nov. 2025; His recovery timeline is about 9 to 12 months, which means he could be ready for the start of the 2026 chapter. But this time, there’s no Cousins; there’s Miami Dolphins longtime starter QB Tua Tagovailoa. The two will compete for the starter job at the Falcons facility.
Falcons GM Ian Cunningham solidifies his stance on quarterback competition
“We are not in the business of really handing out starting positions,” Atlanta general manager Ian Cunningham said. “For Tua (Tagovilao) coming in here, he knows he’s coming in to compete, just like Michael (Penix Jr.) knows that he’s coming in to compete. Everybody, quite frankly, not just those two at the quarterback position, but everybody is coming in to compete. There’s no starters right now.”“You don’t want to blindside somebody,” Cunningham explained. “That’s just how we operate. We want to have open conversations and communication, and I feel like we did that in regards to Michael and Tua.”Now, this open competition for the QB1 role may turn the tide toward the Dolphins veteran. Why? One reason staring right at us: he is healthy. Second? His impeccable stats (barring INTs): 2,660 yards, 20 TDs, 15 INTs, with a 67.7 percent completion rate and an 88.5 passer rating in just 14 matchups. Third? Tagovailoa comes with years of experience. Penix has just two years (technically one).Even 92.9 The Game’s Abe Gordon believes that the Miami QB would become the Atlanta starter. “I don’t think (Michael) Penix (Jr.) will be ready Week 1,” Gordon said. “I think Tua (Tagovilao) has got a free rein at quarterback as a starter going into the season. So, I think the quarterback competition begins Week 1 based on Tua’s in-game performance. If he’s good, the quarterback competition does not begin. If he’s bad, that’s when it begins. Whenever Penix is a full go in season and Tua’s bad.” So, when Tagovailoa underperforms, the Falcons may want their in-house QB (Penix) to step up his game and prove himself. Anyway, what do their respective contracts say? Let’s find out.
Tua Tagovailoa contract details
According to Spotrac, the Alabama alum signed a one-year, $1.2M contract with Atlanta in 2026. The deal includes an average annual income of $1.2M. In 2026, he will earn a $1.2M base salary while carrying a $1.2M cap hit. His total career earnings over six seasons are $124M.
Michael Penix Jr contract
As per Spotrac, the Washington product signed a four-year, $22.8M rookie contract with the Falcons in 2024. The deal included a $13M signing bonus, $22M in guaranteed money, and a $5.7M average annual salary. In 2026, he is scheduled to earn a $1M base salary and $1.8M roster bonus while carrying a $6.2M cap hit and a $13.5M dead cap value. His total career earnings over two seasons are $16M.
