Tua Tagovailoa just stepped off the field after the preseason finale, and the vibe for Atlanta fans is definitely not great. He led the Falcons to a 17-12 win over his old team, the Miami Dolphins, but that final score is hiding a massive problem. Everyone thought this game was his shot to prove he deserved the starting gig over Michael Penix Jr. Instead, he showed the coaching staff exactly why they should be worried.
The Numbers Do Not Lie
Take a hard look at the box score. It looks fine on the surface at first glance. Tagovailoa completed seven of eight passes for 95 yards, but that stat line is a total trick. According to SI, Tua averaged only 2.8 air yards per attempt this preseason. That number puts him almost dead last in the rankings.
This isn’t the behavior of a veteran who wants to start Week 1. Most of his yards came on short throws or after the catch. In fact, 68 of his 95 yards happened after he caught the ball. None of his passes went over six air yards. You don’t see those numbers from a former Pro Bowler. You see them from a backup who is just trying to stay safe.
Old Habits Die Hard
Tagovailoa used to be willing to take shots downfield. He was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL once. Now, he looks scared to attack the defense. He plays with a risk-averse style because he has been battered by injuries. The Falcons signed him to help the team, but his play style has changed too much. He is so afraid of getting hit that he refuses to throw the ball deep.
Worse than the lack of deep throws is the ball security issue. For the second time this preseason, Tua fumbled a snap. The Dolphins recovered the ball this time. He got lucky against the Broncos earlier, but that luck ran out Friday night. According to reports, his ability to cough up the football has been constant. A quarterback who loses the ball cannot lead a team.
The Falcons need a starter who can move the chains and take risks. Tagovailoa is doing neither. He is showing the same red flags that the rest of the league already knows about. The coaching staff has to decide if they want a player who avoids contact or one who can win games. The evidence from Friday night makes that choice very clear.
