Tua Tagovailoa looked set to make his Atlanta Falcons debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers in week one of the 2026 NFL season. The Falcons altered their plans at the last moment.
With Michael Penix Jr. still needing a week or two in rehab, the Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski named Tagovailoa as the starter. But Stefanski dropped Tua completely and elevated summer signing Cooper Rush to the starting roster.
Former Steelers’ nose tackle Breiden Fehoko shared his theory behind the sudden shuffle.
Earlier in the week, Tua… said, ‘I have nothing left to prove. So, I’m looking at it, and I’m like, ‘Okay, he said early in the week he didn’t have nothing left to prove.’ Wednesday, [former Steelers coach] Mike Tomlin gets up there on national TV and says Tua’s just always had struggles against the Steelers. He’s not that good. He is what he is when he puts it on tape. They got to play the Steelers on Sunday, and Thursday, back injury flares up. So, it just, it seems a little fishy to me.
Breiden Fehoko said on his show
Tagovailoa spent six years with the Miami Dolphins. In 2024, he signed a four-year, $212.4 million deal with the AFC franchise. But the Dolphins released the former Alabama star after just two years into his contract.
Stefanski, who took charge of the Falcons this year, identified for the starter’s job. According to reports from Falcons reporter Marc Raimondi, neither athlete had the upper hand heading into preseason.
Penix did not participate in the exhibition games, but it was a great opportunity for Tagovailoa to gain some leverage over the former Washington Husky. Tua completed 10 of 13 pass attempts (76.9%) for 117 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions across his appearances.
With Penix still in rehab, Stefanski selected Tagovailoa to face the Steelers on opening night. Earlier this week, Mike Tomlin, who this year, joined Maria Taylor, David McCourty, and Jason Garrett for NBC’s post-game coverage and discussed his former team’s chances against Atlanta. Tomlin bluntly said he doesn’t fear the Steelers.
It’s less about Aaron [Rodgers] for me, and it’s more about the quarterback on the other side [Tua Tagovailoa]. His last visit to Pittsburgh didn’t go well. I was in the stadium that day. They lost, he got benched, and so I think it’s going to be a good day for Mike McCarthy, Patrick Graham, and the Pittsburgh Steelers and company.
Mike Tomlin said
Tagovailoa has a passer rating of 102.2 with 514 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception in 2 games against the Steelers. Last year, he threw for 253 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception in a 23-15 defeat.
The Dolphins benched Tagovailoa for rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers. After the season ended, the Dolphins appointed Jeff Hafley as head coach, who and traded Ewers to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hafley brought in Malik Willis and Kyle McCord from his old side, the Green Bay Packers.
In Atlanta, Tua looked ready for his debut. But on Thursday, hours after Tomlin’s words filled the airwaves, cameras caught Tua Tagovailoa reaching for his lower back and sitting down on the ground. The Falcons reported that Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury. Stefanski dropped the 28-year-old from the starting lineup, making Rush the under center in Pittsburgh.
Rush spent last season with the Baltimore Ravens. He deputized for 2 games during Lamar Jackson‘s absence. Rush threw 4 interceptions as the Ravens lost both fixtures.
Undrafted rookie Jack Strand will back up Rush. Strand made the Falcons ‘ 53-man roster after racking up 306 yards, one passing touchdown, and one interception in preseason.