Former Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa Ready for New Chapter with Atlanta Falcons

Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is embracing a career reset after signing with the Atlanta Falcons on a minimum salary deal. The 28-year-old will compete for the starting position with Michael Penix Jr., who's recovering from an ACL injury suffered last season.

Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is looking forward to a career revival after joining the Atlanta Falcons, where he’ll battle for the starting position.

Miami drafted Tagovailoa fifth overall in 2020, awarded him a lucrative contract extension, then cut ties with him just last month. Now he’s joined Atlanta on a one-year contract, setting up a quarterback competition with Michael Penix Jr.

“Last year wasn’t the best year for me, and I’m looking for a fresh start in the sense of being able to compete, go back out and play good football,” Tagovailoa stated Tuesday during his first public comments about the career transition.

Atlanta inked him to a one-year, $1.2 million contract at veteran minimum rates, though Miami remains responsible for over $50 million still due from his four-year, $212.4 million extension signed in July 2024.

“The best thing for me right now is making the best of this opportunity that I have with the team in terms of the relationships I make with these guys,” he explained. “I get to freaking play football. This is what I dreamed of my entire life. I am going to be present. I’m going to be in the moment. I’m going to be where my feet are.”

Penix entered the 2025 season as Atlanta’s starting quarterback but suffered an ACL tear in Week 11, ending his campaign early.

“Everybody, not just those two, is coming in to compete. There are no starters right now,” general manager Ian Cunningham declared March 10 when Tagovailoa joined the organization. “We are excited to have Tua, but we’re excited to have all the players we were able to get (via free agency).”

The 28-year-old Tagovailoa expressed comfort with the upcoming quarterback battle against Penix.

“Competition is just a thing in the NFL. I am no stranger to competition — had it in college,” Tagovailoa noted. “I would say competition is just going to be there, and competition enhances the play of everyone. I don’t think the mindset changes at all. … I embrace the competition. I am excited to work alongside Mike.”

Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2023, finishing his Miami tenure with a 44-32 record across six seasons. His career statistics include 68.0% completion rate, 18,166 passing yards, 120 touchdowns and 59 interceptions.

Only during the 2023 campaign did he participate in every game of his six-year career. Various injuries have sidelined him throughout his professional tenure, including a minimum of three documented concussions during his NFL years.

Penix, age 25, holds a 4-8 starting record with 59.6% completion percentage, 2,757 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. Atlanta selected him eighth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

ESPN confirmed Tuesday that veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian’s representative announced his client is also joining Atlanta’s quarterback group.

Contract details for Siemian weren’t revealed. The 34-year-old last played in an NFL regular season game during 2023 with the New York Jets and spent most of 2024 and 2025 on Tennessee’s practice squad.