Tua Tagovailoa Signs with Falcons
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa recently signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Falcons after being let go by the Miami Dolphins, and he wasn’t alone during this momentous occasion. His biggest fans were right there with him.
In an Instagram post shared by the team, Tagovailoa’s wife, Anna, joined him at the Falcons’ facility in Flowery Branch, Georgia, alongside their young son Ace, born in 2022, and daughter Maisie, born in 2023. They all appeared quite happy.
The post’s caption conveyed his enthusiasm, saying, “ATL, I’m excited about this new opportunity. Let’s get to work. Stand up.”
Also in the photo was NFL agent Chris Cabot.
Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham remarked that Tagovailoa would be in competition with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting quarterback role.
“For Tua coming here, he knows he’s coming here to compete,” Cunningham explained to reporters. “Just like Michael knows he’s coming to compete. Frankly, everyone is coming to compete, not just the two at the quarterback position.”
Penix had a setback of his own, recovering from left ACL surgery he underwent last November after being injured in Week 11.
This signing comes on the heels of the Falcons releasing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins the previous Wednesday.
Cousins lost his starting role to Penix during the 2024 season but continued to support him after his injury.
Cunningham added that he had communicated with Penix’s agent before bringing Tagovailoa on board, and head coach Kevin Stefanski had a chat with Penix too. “We don’t want to blindside anyone, and that’s what we do,” he stated. “We want to have an open conversation and communication, and I feel like we’ve been able to do that with Michael and Tua.”
Last season, Tagovailoa had a mixed performance, throwing for 2,660 yards, with 20 touchdowns but also a career-high 15 interceptions, which contributed to the Dolphins finishing with a 6-8 record before rookie Quinn Ewers took over.
In other changes, Atlanta fired head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot after two consecutive 8-9 seasons. The organization has since brought on former quarterback Matt Ryan as their new president of football operations.
