Tua Tagovailoa impresses Falcons coach ahead of preseason debut

In the United States, Tua Tagovailoa is preparing for his preseason debut with the Atlanta Falcons, following a challenging period in his career. After being cut by the Miami Dolphins in March 2026, Tagovailoa signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Falcons. His previous season was disappointing, as he recorded 2,660 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, resulting in the lowest QBR of his career. Despite these setbacks, he is now looking to revitalize his career in Atlanta, where he has the support of talented teammates, including All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts.

As the Falcons prepare for their first preseason game against the Denver Broncos, Tagovailoa has been making strides in practice. He has participated in 7-on-7 drills and has reportedly shown improvement in his understanding of the team's offensive system. Atlanta's quarterbacks coach, Alex Van Pelt, has praised Tagovailoa's progress, noting that he is becoming more comfortable with the play calls and protection adjustments. Van Pelt's experience working with successful quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Aaron Rodgers adds credibility to his assessment of Tagovailoa's development.

The Falcons have yet to officially name their starting quarterback for Week 1, but the signs are increasingly pointing towards Tagovailoa taking the lead. His ability to regain his form from previous seasons, where he was a Pro Bowl quarterback, could set him up for a long-term deal with the franchise. The team is optimistic about their prospects this season, especially with the offensive talent surrounding Tagovailoa.

Fans will get their first chance to see Tagovailoa in action when the Falcons face the Broncos in their preseason opener. The outcome of this game could be pivotal for Tagovailoa's future with the team and his aspirations to return to elite quarterback status in the NFL.