Falcons Weigh Whether to Trade Tua Tagovailoa

The Atlanta Falcons are weighing whether to move Tua Tagovailoa before the NFL trade deadline on November 10. The veteran quarterback joined the team on a one-year, $1.2 million contract after Miami released him, but has spent most of the season behind starter Michael Penix Jr. Atlanta is 3-5.

Tagovailoa was named the Week 1 starter, then returned to the backup role after an early-season oblique injury. He has played once, in Atlanta’s 31-23 overtime loss to Baltimore in Week 5. After Penix left with a rib injury, Tagovailoa completed two of three passes for 34 yards and threw an interception in overtime.

A possible trade could appeal to teams short on quarterbacks. Baltimore, at 4-4, has been hit by injuries to Lamar Jackson and backup Tyler Huntley, leaving undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano in line to start. The Ravens are two games behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North and one game out of the conference’s final playoff spot. Philadelphia has also been mentioned as a team to watch, though it could instead sell players at the deadline.

Keeping Tagovailoa would give Atlanta added protection behind Penix, who has a history of serious knee injuries and recently hurt his ribs. The Falcons have already cycled through several quarterbacks this season, and Tagovailoa is the only other quarterback on the roster viewed as a viable option to help win games. His earlier NFL production also suggests he could provide more than an emergency presence.

The likely trade return may be modest given Tagovailoa’s low salary, potentially no more than a late-round draft pick. Atlanta should consider offers, but the case for holding on is that a small return may not help a team still in contention for the NFC South. His contract ends after the season, and the Falcons may also seek a quarterback in the 2027 draft.