This week, 30 out of 32 NFL teams are preparing to play their first preseason game of 2026. For the Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback room, this week is the first opportunity to show head coach Kevin Stefanski who should be leading the offense this season. These games are important for NFL franchises to build roster depth and find solutions to problem areas on their roster, and for the Falcons, it will begin the process of determining a true hierarchy at the quarterback position.
These evaluations can be critical for NFL teams working to either change their culture or establish themselves as contenders in their division. Atlanta is one of the four teams that are currently looking for any edge they can find to become divisional contenders in the NFC South. During the last several seasons, the division has been defined by not having a dominant team, but four teams that are talented yet incomplete.
The Falcons have one of the most dynamic collections of young talent in the NFL. Running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts, and Atlanta’s fleet of dynamic receivers will attempt to make a run at the division title. On the other hand, they are currently the only team in the division that doesn’t have a clearly established starter at the quarterback position.
The Atlanta Falcons’ Quarterback Room
The Falcons currently have four quarterbacks on their roster, including Michael Penix Jr., Tua Tagovailoa, Cooper Rush, and Jack Strand. Neither Penix nor Tagovailoa has established themselves as the clear starter. Rush is a career backup who had some success behind Dak Prescott in Dallas, and Strand is a former Division II quarterback hoping to make the practice squad.
The Falcons need to use these preseason games to determine which of these quarterbacks gives them the best chance to win the division. The team has not had a clear franchise player under center since Matt Ryan, and the deficiencies at the position have shown on the field.
Michael Penix Jr.
Heading into the Falcons’ first preseason game, Penix is atop the depth chart. He went 3-6 as a starter in 2025, before his season was cut short by a torn ACL. If he is not on the field for the first preseason game, it’s most likely because he still hasn’t been cleared for contact. If the 2024 first-round pick fails to win the starting job in 2026, he will likely be a free agent sooner than expected.
Tua Tagovailoa
Tagovailoa was brought in as insurance during the offseason after being released by the Miami Dolphins. This was a low-risk, high-reward move, since Miami is eating the brunt of his contract, and it could allow Atlanta to field a starting quarterback for pennies on the dollar.
While the Falcons have stated they would not have a quarterback competition until Penix is healthy, if Tua shows he can run the offense successfully, Atlanta could turn to him as their opening day starter. Ideally, both players will get snaps during the preseason, but there’s no guarantee with Penix’s health concerns.
Cooper Rush
Rush is the most stable quarterback on the Falcons and is likely to end up on the third string. He brings a wealth of experience and a high football IQ to the team, and could serve as an invaluable mentor to the two guys ahead of him. He has played in the NFL since 2017, and holds the distinction of being the first Cowboys quarterback to win his first five starts with the club.
Jack Strand
Strand was a standout pocket-passer for Minnesota State University Moorhead, and has prototypical quarterback size (6’5″ and 240 pounds). His biggest adjustment will be getting used to the speed of the game, which is definitely faster in the pros than it is in Division II. Unless he excels in the preseason or someone ahead of him gets injured, Strand will end up on the practice squad to start the year.
