Tagovailoa: 'Got to play better' to challenge for Falcons' QB1

Key Points:

• New Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa expressed comfort competing for the starting job with Michael Penix Jr., following a season he described as below his standard.
• Tagovailoa was released by the Miami Dolphins earlier this month, who absorbed an NFL-record $99.2 million in dead money to part ways with him after he lost his starting job last season due to a career-high 15 interceptions.
• The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.3 million veteran minimum contract, with general manager Ian Cunningham confirming he will compete with Penix, who is recovering from a torn ACL sustained in Week 11.
• Tagovailoa, who has a history of concussions and injuries, stated he has passed all health protocols required by the Falcons and is optimistic about his physical condition moving forward.
• Despite a strong 2023 season leading the NFL in passing yards and signing a record extension with Miami, Tagovailoa described his last year with the Dolphins as a "unique" experience and was vague about the specifics.