Matt Zenitz· Aug 23, 2026
The report states that Tua Tagovailoa remains the favorite to win the Falcons' starting quarterback job over the returning Michael Penix Jr., who will get a chance to compete once cleared for full practice.
“While it's fair to say that free agent signee Tua Tagovailoa remains the favorite to win Atlanta's starting QB job, Penix will now get a chance these next few weeks to try and prove that he's the better option.”
published in writing · CBS Sports · read the original →
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Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.
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Tua Tagovailoa · 2026 season32 calls from 25 pundits between 1 and 2. Matt Zenitz said 1. the room's median is 1. not settled yet
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- Depth Chart CallsTua TagovailoaAtlanta FalconsAug 23, 2026
Tua Tagovailoa to be 1st on the depth chart
“While it's fair to say that free agent signee Tua Tagovailoa remains the favorite to win Atlanta's starting QB job, Penix will now get a chance these next few weeks to try and prove that he's the better option.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Scott KennedyRoster Spot Calls · Michael Penix Jr.Hit · 100Kennedy reports that Atlanta is expected to keep three quarterbacks on its 53-man roster: Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr., and undrafted rookie Jack Strand.
- Jaime EisnerMock Draft Picks · Darrell JacksonMiss · 35A seven-round Falcons mock draft projecting Atlanta's five 2026 picks: CB Brandon Cisse at No. 48, IDL Darrell Jackson Jr. at No. 79, WR Brenen Thompson at No. 112, EDGE Mason Reiger at No. 215, and LB Shad Banks Jr. at No. 231. It also expects Cisse to go inside the top 50 and Jackson to be an immediate early-down contributor.
- Keith SanchezMock Draft Picks · Malachi LawrenceMiss · 34In his final 2026 NFL mock draft, Sanchez projects the full first round plus several second-round picks, starting with Fernando Mendoza going No. 1 overall to the Raiders.
- Jaime EisnerMock Draft Picks · Zachariah BranchMiss · 26In a "What I Would Do" 2026 NFL mock draft, Eisner assigns first-round selections for all 32 picks plus several early second-round picks, starting with Fernando Mendoza to the Raiders at No. 1.
- Kyle CrabbsMock Draft Picks · Walter NolenHit · 96In his final 2025 NFL mock draft, Crabbs projects all 32 first-round picks, starting with Cam Ward to the Titans at No. 1 and Travis Hunter to the Browns at No. 2, and including projected trades involving the Bears/Jaguars and a Giants move back into the late first round for Jaxson Dart.
- Colin CowherdMock Draft Picks · Shemar StewartHit · 92Cowherd delivered his own top-15 draft board — what he would do as GM of each team — pairing prospects with picks 1 through 15, and separately argued Shedeur Sanders is a far better prospect than Daniel Jones and that Aaron Rodgers should retire.
More depth chart calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Carter BahnsDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0Bahns calls it reality that Shedeur Sanders will take over as Cleveland's starting quarterback by Week 4, with Deshaun Watson set to fail.
- Carter BahnsDepth Chart Calls · Shedeur SandersMiss · 0A CBS Sports preseason overreaction column argues Shedeur Sanders will take over as Cleveland's starting quarterback by Week 4, that Ja'Kobi Lane has a real path to a No. 2 receiver role as a rookie, and that Kenneth Walker III is a legitimate lead back atop the Chiefs' depth chart.
- Garrett PodellDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100Podell ranks all 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks entering Week 3 of the 2026 season, with Josh Allen first, Patrick Mahomes second and Case Keenum last. He also expects Kyler Murray and Michael Penix Jr. to return to action in Week 3 and Case Keenum to possibly start for the Bears.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100A roundup of NFC injury news expects Jameis Winston to start for the Giants in any games Jaxson Dart misses, and suggests third-stringer Case Keenum could end up starting for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3 with both Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent sidelined.
- Fox SportsDepth Chart Calls · Case KeenumHit · 100With Caleb Williams injured and Tyson Bagent in concussion protocol, third-string quarterback Case Keenum is expected to start for the Bears against the Eagles in Week 3.
- Pat FitzmauriceDepth Chart Calls · Jonah ColemanMiss · 0In his Week 3 waiver column, Fitzmaurice makes several depth-chart calls around injuries: Jonah Coleman leading Denver's backfield, Marcus Mariota taking over in Washington, Michael Penix Jr. starting once healthy, and Malik Washington serving as Miami's top receiver, plus availability expectations for Detroit's injured safeties.