The Atlanta Falcons need to have an insurance policy for Michael Penix Jr.

Penix struggled in his second season in the NFL, so the jury is still out on if he is the long-term solution under center in Atlanta. Making matters worse, Penix suffered a partially torn ACL that leaves his status for Week 1 in question

The Falcons do have a strong backup in-house in Kirk Cousins, but the expectation is he will be released before the start of the new league year following a contract adjustment in 2025.

If Cousins isn’t brought back, Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton predicts the Falcons will acquire Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Tagovailoa helped guide the Dolphins to the playoffs in 2022 and 2023, leading the league in passer rating (105.5) and passing yards (4,624) in those campaigns, respectively. As of today, he’s a better quarterback than Penix and would give the Falcons a shot at the postseason in a division that didn’t have a team above .500 in 2025.

If Penix isn’t the Falcons’ Week 1 starter because of his recovery process or a team decision, Tagovailoa could run away with the job in a fresh start. 

Tagovailoa’s days with the Dolphins appear to be numbered after he was benched last season for Quinn Ewers due to poor play.

Tagovailoa has since said he wouldn’t mind a fresh start, and reports suggest Miami will look to move him via trade, although the massive financial roadblock of Tua’s monster $212 million contract exists.

The Dolphins are reportedly willing to eat some of his salary in a trade, but it’s going to have to be a substantial amount for the Falcons or any team to make a move for Tagovailoa, who is also coming off a terrible season.

If the Dolphins end up releasing Tagovailoa, we could then see the Falcons taking a swing on him, but we would guess a trade is out of the question.

Truth be told, the Falcons would be better off trying to reunite with Cousins after they release him. That move would cost far less than taking on Tua’s contract and wouldn’t cost draft capital, either.