​The Miami Dolphins released former No. 5 overall pick Tua Tagovailoa this offseason as part of their rebuild, a move that came after new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan took the reins in South Florida. Not long after, Tagovailoa found a new home with the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta already boasted a left-handed starter in Michael Penix, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which sparked speculation about who would be under center when the 2026 regular season began.
In a recent episode of The Set, a podcast hosted by Terron Armstead, Miami’s former left tackle, the Dolphins’ current starting left tackle, Patrick Paul, offered his prediction for Tagovailoa’s future with the Falcons. Paul asserted that Tagovailoa is poised to reclaim a starting role in Atlanta, saying, “He’s definitely going to win that spot.”
It’s important to note that Tagovailoa may have a significant edge in the competition depending on Penix’s health. Penix is approaching the latter stages of a torn ACL that occurred in November, which could delay his return and give Tagovailoa an opportunity to win the starting job by default if Penix isn’t ready for the season opener. That scenario would place Tagovailoa back in the driving seat, at least until Penix is able to demonstrate he’s fully recovered and ready to compete at the highest level.
Regardless of the health scenario, Paul made clear where his loyalties lie: he’s rooting for his former teammate. “He’s a great player, so definitely rooting for him,” Paul said.
Armstead’s full interview with Paul covers a wide range of topics and provides insights into the dynamic surrounding Tagovailoa’s transition to Atlanta, the quarterback competition, and the outlook for both Tagovailoa and Penix as the Falcons prepare for the upcoming season. To hear Armstead’s discussion in full, watch the video below.