The NFL community has been unimpressed by what the Atlanta Falcons have done this offseason. Their draft class included no first-round pick and did little to move the needle. Their free agent class is also underwhelming, with one big exception.
Signing former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year, $1.2 million deal has the potential to be the best bargain in the league at the position this year if Tua can get back to the level he was playing at before 2025.
Accoridng to Alex Kay at Bleacher Report, the Tagovailoa signing is the most-underrated offseason move any NFL team has made this year.
“While Tagovailoa has struggled in recent seasons, he has all the tools to succeed following his release from the Miami Dolphins… Although Tagovailoa was brought in as an insurance option, his impressive pedigree and proven ability to run a high-octane offense may be the key to unlocking the vast untapped potential of the Falcons’ offense.”
First, Tagovailoa will have to prove that he’s a better option to start than Michael Penix Jr. over the summer. From there, he’ll have to stay healthy – especially avoiding the kinds of hits that lead to concussions. The rest of the pieces are all there for Tagovailoa to have a resurgent All-Star season, though.
Atlanta has a respectable offensive line, an improving wide receiver corps, a solid receiving tight end and a guy who might be the best running back on the planet.
The Falcons have also upgraded their coaching game by bringing in Kevin Stefanski, who should be able to boost an offense that was often stuck in neutral under former offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
Tagovailoa has proven in the past that he can produce with a good supporting cast. In 2024 he led the NFL with a 72.9% completion rate. The season before that he led the league in passing yards (4,624) and the year before that he posted the league’s best passer rating (105.5).
If the Falcons can add another decent outside receiver before the season begins, Tagovailoa will have everything he needs to succeed in Atlanta.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Tua Tagovailoa is NFL’s most underrated signing
