Falcons name Tua as Week 1 starter over Penix

Tua Tagovailoa will be the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sunday's season opener. The Falcons announced their decision Monday, ending a months-long competition between Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. The Falcons have now had a different Week 1 starter in each of the last six seasons. The Falcons signed Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.3 million contract in the offseason. Tagovailoa was released in March by the Miami Dolphins, who took on a record $99.2 million in dead cap to part ways with him. Penix tore his ACL last November and required surgery. He was not cleared for 11-on-11 team periods until the final week of training camp.