Kevin Stefanski makes feelings clear on Tua Tagovailoa after just 10 days of Falcons OTAs

Tua Tagovailoa is looking for a career reset with the Atlanta Falcons.

The 28-year-old quarterback, selected as the fifth overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2020, had his share of ups and downs in South Beach.

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Once he found his footing, Tua led the league in passing yards in 2023 as he flourished in Mike McDaniel’s offense, landing a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension soon after.

But injuries and inconsistency derailed his last couple years with the Dolphins, and he was benched for the final three games of the 2025 season, with all parties ready to move on.

Tagovailoa has since landed with the Falcons, and will compete for the starting quarterback role against Michael Penix Jr, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last November.

It seems the new arrival has already left head coach Kevin Stefanski impressed, with Organised Team Activities (OTAs) under way in Atlanta.

Tua Tagovailoa lands massive praise from Falcons HC

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Coach Stefanski noted ‘accuracy’ will help decide this summer’s quarterback battle.

“I think it’s the most important trait at the position,” he said.

“Some guys get better at it with tweaks to how they throw the ball, tweaks to their lower body, those types of things.

“All of our quarterbacks have this: to be able to let the ball go, and it’s going to where you want it to go.”

Stefanski then offered some incredibly high praise for his recently-signed signal caller.

“I think Tua, just in his career, as you’ve seen, just has that innate, God-given ability,” he added.

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Tagovailoa agreed a one-year, veteran minimum contract with the Falcons, as the Dolphins are said to still be paying the remaining $54m of his guaranteed salary.

Despite slipping in recent seasons, he arrives in Atlanta with a reputation as one of the most accurate passers in the NFL.

Tua led the league with 4,624 yards in 2023, en-route to being named to the Pro Bowl. A year later, he posted the league-high completion rate, of 72.9 percent.

In OTAs, his talent has already been on display.

The Falcons website noted Wednesday that whether he was throwing to receivers during individual drills or facing the defense, Tagovailoa’s passes were ‘typically out in front of his intended receiver, hitting him right in the hands so he could turn upfield after the catch.’

Tua has perhaps already established himself as the front runner in Atlanta’s quarterback battle, and is happy to help Penix improve, too.

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Speaking to reporters at practice, the former franchise QB suggested he’s happy to mentor the man he’s competing against.

Tua Tagovailoa to take on mentor role with Michael Penix Jr.

“I’m impressed by what he’s shown out there,” Tua said of Penix, who’s entering his third season.

“It’s been good fun to go out there and compete with him, and I’m trying to help him as much as I can as well.

“For me, it would just be wrong not to help… that’s how I see things.”

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Stefanski, no doubt, will be happy to hear his top two quarterbacks are already working closely together.

And it looks like he’s found his Week 1 starter.

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