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While they dragged their feet more than any other team, the Atlanta Falcons eventually named Tua Tagovailoa as their starting quarterback for the season opener. Whether he keeps the job is entirely up to him. The former Pro Bowl QB understood what he was signing up for the moment he placed his John Hancock on the dotted line in Atlanta. Former first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. is waiting for his opportunity to show he’s who the Falcons are looking for, but again, the job, for now, is Tagovailoa’s to lose, and he has no intention of doing so. Related: 1 Bold Prediction for Each Game in NFL Week 1, Including Super Bowl LX Rematch NFL Insider Suggests Atlanta Falcons Could Cut Tua Tagovailoa The Falcons may have Tagovailoa installed as QB1, but Penix is getting closer and closer to 100% each day after tearing his ACL last season. After Tagovailoa and Penix, the Falcons also have Cooper Rush and undrafted rookie Jack Strand on the roster. Yet, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Falcons could cut ties with one of those quarterbacks soon. Specifically, if/when Tagovailoa struggles, the team may simply cut him loose and move forward with the other three QBs on the roster. A former Pro Bowl QB who’s just 28 years old suddenly becoming available before the NFL trade deadline would be a fascinating storyline to see play out. Would there be any interest in Los Angeles? Where the Chargers now employ his old head coach, Mike McDaniel, as their offensive coordinator? Obviously, Tagovailoa wouldn’t be a candidate to take over the franchise’s QB1 spot, but he could be a valued backup behind Justin Herbert and one who’s already played well under the playcaller. Then again, Sam Darnold‘s injury in the season opener provided a reminder of how quickly a team’s fate can change. The Seahawks won the game, but most teams wouldn’t be able to successfully navigate treacherous waters with their backup QB trying to steady the ship. In other words, a team that doesn’t appear to have a need right now could emerge with one if injuries strike, and that’s where Tagovailoa could get his next opportunity. Or maybe he’ll ball out in Atlanta and Penix will be the one with a questionable long-term future in Atlanta. That’s why they play the games: to answer all the questions that can only be speculated on until the action settles the score.