During the NFL”s busiest week of the year, one transaction has garnered widespread disapproval among executives across the league. The Atlanta Falcons, now under the leadership of new head coach Kevin Stefanski, made headlines by signing free agent Tua Tagovailoa. This move surprised many, including some who hold Stefanski in high regard due to his successful track record as a play caller and two-time Coach of the Year with the Cleveland Browns.
Critics have raised concerns about the swift nature of the Falcons” decision to sign Tagovailoa, a quarterback whose recent performance and medical history have led to questions regarding his leadership skills. Despite having a roster filled with elite offensive talent capable of flourishing under a quarterback who can effectively stretch the field, the Falcons opted for a player known for his quick releases and a heavy reliance on short passes. This strategy often puts receivers in precarious situations near the line of scrimmage.
Several executives, who have closely analyzed the available quarterback market, believe that the Falcons may have regressed by parting ways with Kirk Cousins, for whom they previously committed a substantial contract. “Kevin”s a sharp guy, but this doesn”t add up,” stated one executive from a competing team. “I would have just kept Cousins. He wants more than $1 million, but that”s a better fit for this offense.” The same executive also expressed skepticism about Tagovailoa”s potential, citing his past struggles and the number of red flags that have emerged over the last two years.
Another general manager who is actively seeking quarterback assistance this offseason added, “Cousins can push the ball downfield and loves play action. That”s a better fit to me in this offense… We weren”t going to touch Tua. Too many red flags.” Indeed, Tagovailoa”s overall performance has raised alarms; he has averaged only 6.2 air yards per attempt over the last two seasons, placing him at the bottom of the rankings among qualified NFL passers. Additionally, he ranked near the bottom in both deep pass attempts and touchdown-to-interception ratio, which has raised concerns about his decision-making abilities.
The Miami Dolphins, Tagovailoa”s former team, were willing to absorb a significant financial hit just to move on from him, opting instead to invest in new quarterback Malik Willis at a much higher salary. As the Falcons navigate this pivotal offseason, the decision to sign Tagovailoa will continue to be scrutinized by others in the league.
