Matt Hasselbeck doesn’t think Tua Tagovailoa is competing with Michael Penix Jr.

Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Tim Hasselbeck doesn’t see a quarterback competition in the Atlanta Falcons just yet.

Although he believes Michael Penix Jr. is still going to have the keys to the offense down the road, Hasselbeck thinks that the 26-year-old quarterback is not healthy enough to make it a competition during this juncture of the offseason against Atlanta newcomer Tua Tagovailoa.

“I think long-term it’s going to be Michael Penix Jr. I don’t think that the leadership in Atlanta is ready to just turn the page on Penix,” Hasselbeck said on Monday on NFL Live on ESPN.

“I think this is more about, you know, knowing that Penix was not going to be full strength throughout the off-season, not really knowing his availability when the regular season starts, and making sure that you have somebody that can play at a starter level on the roster. That’s why I think Tua is there.”

For now, Hasselbeck views Tagovailoa holding the fort under center for Atlanta until Penix is ready to give it a go, while at the same time acting as insurance if the former Indiana Hoosiers and Washington Huskies star signal-caller struggles on the field.

“I think Tua is there to be a placeholder until Penix is ready. Now, if Penix doesn’t play well when he gets the opportunity, then sure, you can go back to Tua and if you feel like he can play at a starter level. I actually don’t really see this as a competition the way that it’s a competition in Cleveland and I think a legitimate one,” added Hasselbeck.

“I think this is really about Penix not being fully healthy. I believe he’s the starter when he is healthy and I think that’ll be the case until he plays his way into an otherwise situation. So that’s how I think it ultimately plays out in Atlanta.”

Penix suffered a torn ACL injury in a Week 11 game against the Carolina Panthers during the 2025 NFL season.

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