Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski once told reporters he’s “not giving out any jobs in June,” during the team’s organized team activities this month.

Stefanski has a major job to consider at the quarterback position when July rolls around. While Michael Penix Jr. started games for the past two seasons, the Falcons added Tua Tagovailoa this offseason, which will lead to a big quarterback competition in July at training camp.

It’s easily one of the best quarterback competitions to watch next month, as both quarterbacks are looking to cement their careers anew. Penix showed promise in his first two seasons with the Falcons, but injuries have derailed him. Tagovailoa had big moments in his years with the Miami Dolphins, but concussions were a big concern.

For Penix, the injury history is also a big concern with multiple ACL tears. One is a lot for any professional athlete, but he is on his third.

Atlanta wisely added Tagovailoa this offseason because he brings veteran leadership, playoff experience and the ability to utilize talent around him. He had Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle flying high in 2024 at one point, and the Falcons clearly see that potential with Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson.

Tagovailoa took the key reps in OTAs while Penix hasn’t done 11-on-11 drills yet. The 2024 Pro Bowler is ahead of Penix, and that will challenge Penix to catch up in training camp once fully healthy.

While Stefanski hasn’t said it, the starting quarterback job could already be Tagovailoa’s to lose. Tagovailoa also has more to prove after a down year with the Dolphins in 2025, and his level of success in the NFL far exceeds what Penix has achieved thus far.

It also follows that the Falcons didn’t jump right away at starting Penix from Day One when Kirk Cousins was in the building. The Falcons started Cousins until his struggles were enough to bring in Penix during the 2024 season.

Tagovailoa doesn’t have a Cousins-sized contract with the Falcons, but the former Alabama star has the chance to play his way into one, whether in Atlanta or somewhere else in 2027. With so much on the line for Tagovailoa, it seems likely he will grab the starting job for the Falcons in 2026 and run with, knowing that Falcons staff could bring in Penix, once healthy.