Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski was highly complimentary of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's accuracy during the first week of OTAs.
"I think it's (accuracy) the most important trait at the position. ... 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 said at his press conference Wednesday.
He added, "I think Tua, just in his career, as you've seen, just has that innate, God-given ability."
Atlanta signed Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.25-million contract after the Miami Dolphins released him. Miami is taking on a $99-million dead-cap charge that's spread out over the next two seasons as a result, and the club has to pay Tagovailoa $54 million in 2026.
His 68.6% completion percentage since 2021 ranks behind only Joe Burrow among all quarterbacks with at least 60 games played, according to TruMedia. However, Tagovailoa also ranks fifth in interceptions with 54, and he didn't win a postseason game during that timeframe.
The 28-year-old struggled in 2025. He threw for 2,660 yards with 20 touchdowns and 15 picks, and he was benched for Miami's final three games of the season.
"Working very hard, veteran, fits in really well with our guys," Stefanski said when asked what he's seen since Tagovailoa joined the team. "Skill set is what you see from his Miami days to now. Very accurate."
Tagovailoa will compete with Michael Penix Jr. for the Falcons' starting role. Penix is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in November. The former first-round pick was on the field at OTAs and participated in seven-on-seven drills but still isn't cleared to practice fully.
Penix went 3-6 in his first season as the primary starter in 2025, throwing for 1,982 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
