By Dionte Daniel, Assistant Sports Editor

Heading into the 2026 season, the Atlanta Falcons have several question marks surrounding them. However, none is bigger than who will be their starting quarterback. 

Atlanta faces the Miami Dolphins on Friday night for their third and final preseason game. While games during the preseason are often meaningless, it means more this time around as the Falcons have some roster decisions to make. Those decisions are especially tough when you look at Atlanta’s quarterback room. 

Michael Penix Jr. and former Dolphin Tua Tagovailoa are currently competing for the starting job. Playing against his old team will add some intrigue for Tua, but I have always thought Penix was the better option and that shouldn’t change on Friday night. 

Penix was medically cleared this offseason and is recovering from last year’s ACL injury that ended his 2025 season prematurely. Atlanta spent a top-10 pick on Penix in the 20t24 draft because they saw franchise quarterback potential in him. An injury shouldn’t deter them now.  

Tua would provide experience, and it is never bad to have two starters on your roster. But I want Penix to have the full opportunity to show Atlanta what he can do. 

If he is healthy, let him drive the car.  

Another young quarterback who has created a nice push in this competition is undrafted free agent Jack Strand. 

Strand is one of Atlanta’s best preseason stories so far. In week two of the preseason, Strand went 12-of-17 for 212 yards with one touchdown versus the Indianapolis Colts. He even added an 18-yard rushing touchdown in Atlanta’s 34-6 win. 

Strand is never going to be a starter this season. But stranger things have happened when it comes to quarterbacks. For now, he has proven enough to where Atlanta should strongly consider keeping him on the 53-man roster. 

That decision can be made on Friday night. 

The Falcons need to cut their roster down to 53 players by Aug. 30. With Friday night’s game being their last chance, a lot of guys will be looking to make their case to stick around. Atlanta’s quarterback room is one position I could not see keeping all four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. With Penix, Tua, Cooper Rush, and Strand all options at quarterback, somebody will not make the cut. 

 As of now, Penix is my guy to lead the team.  

Atlanta has plenty of talent on offense with guys like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. They need a quarterback who can grow with their young players and not continuously search for the next guy to solve all their problems. 

Penix has been through his fair share of injuries, competition, and questions since entering the league. Now that he is finally healthy, it’s time for Atlanta to see what they have in him. 

Sure, Tua can be that backup with starting experience. Strand can ride the bench and continue to learn from his high-ranked teammates. But when it’s time for week one, I want Penix Jr. taking snaps under center. 

I have faith in Michael Penix Jr., and Falcons fans should too.