Anonymous NFL execs weigh in on Falcons QB competition

[ASFN Admin]

Two days into training camp for the Atlanta Falcons, and we're no closer to knowing who will start at quarterback Week 1 than we were back in March, when Atlanta signed Tua Tagovailoa to compete with Michael Penix Jr. for the job.

Tagovailoa was absent on Day 1 due to a reported back injury, while Penix remains limited to 7-on-7s and individual drills until he is fully cleared. The script was flipped on Day 2, with Penix getting a scheduled rest day and Tua returning for individual drills.

Thus far, undrafted rookie Jack Strand has gotten the majority of first-team reps. Looking ahead, the QB1 competition will likely have to be settled during the team's three preseason games.

Penix's injury status doesn't bode well for his long-term future in Atlanta. Tagovailoa's injury may keep the QB race close for now but if Penix doesn't get back soon, it will be hard for him to ever catch up. One anonymous NFC exec told ESPN:

"Penix being hurt isn't just a bad break for him," one NFC personnel executive said. "He was hurt all the time in college, and that was one of the big concerns."

Another source - an anonymous scout with an AFC team - felt that if the Falcons start winning with Tua, Penix is unlikely to get another chance.

"If Tua is running the offense and they're winning games, they're not going to throw Penix in there just to get a look at him," said a scout with an AFC team."

ESPN concluded by predicting Tagovailoa would win the QB competition, but right now that doesn't seem like much of an accomplishment. Signing Cooper Rush gives the Falcons some much-needed proven quarterback depth, but right now it's impossible to guess who will be starting Week 1.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Anonymous NFL execs weigh in on Falcons QB competition

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