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- NFL. The Falcons continue to reshape their quarterback roster following the arrival of Tua Tagovailoa: Trevor Siemian is next
Tua Tagovailoa is entering a new chapter in his NFL career, and the message from the new Atlanta Falcons quarterback is clear that nothing will be handed to him. After signing with Atlanta earlier this month following his release, the former Miami Dolphins starter acknowledged he must earn his role, particularly with rising talent Michael Penix Jr. also in the mix.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since joining the Falcons, Tagovailoa openly admitted his performances last season did not meet expectations.
"If you're looking at last year, my play wasn't up to the standard of the way I've been playing football the past ... three years since the new contract," Tagovailoa said during a virtual news conference.
"So, just got to play better football. That's what that really means. There's no other way to sugarcoat that or go around that."
That honesty comes after a turbulent end to his tenure with the Dolphins, who made the costly decision to release him while absorbing an NFL-record $99.2 million in dead salary cap money.
The move followed a disappointing campaign in which Tagovailoa threw a career-high 15 interceptions, a sharp contrast to his 2023 season when he led the league in passing yards.
Competition and mentorship in Atlanta
Now 28, Tagovailoa joins the Falcons on a one-year, $1.3 million deal, setting the stage for a quarterback competition with Penix, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, the Falcons have added further depth by signing veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian, formerly of the Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos, adding another layer to the team's quarterback room.
Atlanta general manager Ian Cunningham has already confirmed that the starting job will be up for grabs once Penix is fully recovered from a torn ACL suffered in Week 11 last season.
Rather than shy away from the challenge, Tagovailoa has embraced the opportunity to compete-and potentially mentor.
"You're either a competitor or you're not, you just don't go from being a competitor to 'let me just relax a little bit,'" Tagovailoa said.
"I just don't think that's how it works. ... And so, I embrace the competition. I'm excited to work alongside with Mike and I'm excited to work with the team, with the guys. I think it's going to be fun this year."
Tagovailoa brushes off health concerns
Health, however, remains a critical factor. Tagovailoa has dealt with multiple injuries in recent years, including concussions and a hip issue that sidelined him for six games in 2024.
He emphasized that he has met all medical requirements set by Atlanta.
"The game of football will always entail physicality," Tagovailoa said. "So, you can never foreshadow what the future is going to look like in terms of your health, whether it's an ankle, whether it's a hand injury, a concussion, a hip injury, whatever that may be.
"In terms of health, went through all the protocols of what I needed to do for the Falcons. Everything came out good. Some things are looking way better than the guys might've thought."