Falcons' Quarterback Questions Persist After Shaky Effort by Cooper Rush in Opening Loss to Steelers
Cooper Rush threw two interceptions and was sacked four times as Atlanta’s passing game stalled again, deepening questions about the starting job.
- On Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons fell 20-13 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, leaving Coach Kevin Stefanski with no update on quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. for the upcoming home opener.
- Cooper Rush started in Pittsburgh despite back spasms after Tagovailoa was ruled out with an oblique injury and Penix continued recovery from a 2025 knee injury that ended his previous season.
- Rush completed 12 of 22 passes for 143 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, while running back Bijan Robinson compiled 173 combined yards rushing and receiving to anchor the offense.
- Stefanski noted Rush "battled" but needed more help, while fans questioned the quarterback situation and expressed interest in seeing undrafted rookie Jack Strand receive an opportunity.
- The Falcons open their NFC South schedule against the Carolina Panthers this Sunday in a home opener, though it remains uncertain whether Tagovailoa or Penix will be available to play.
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15 Articles
“Find Somewhere Else to Play”: Ex-Falcon Tells Cooper Rush to “Rush on Out of Atlanta” After Horrific Display
Cooper Rush was never supposed to start a game for the Atlanta Falcons this season unless necessary. With Michael Penix Jr. still not at 100% after his ACL tear last season, veteran quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took most of the first-team reps through training camp, and head coach Kevin Stefanski named him the Week 1 starter. […]
BS Report: The Falcons Do Not Have a Quarterback - 41NBC News
Let’s talk more about the Atlanta Falcons, who lost in week one of the 2026 season, to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 2213. The Falcons did not look very good. They do not have a quarterback. We’ve established that. And until they get that fixed, this is not going to be a very good football team. They have to attack well over...
Falcons’ quarterback questions persist after shaky effort by Cooper Rush in opening loss to Steelers
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons' opening loss at Pittsburgh only added more uncertainty to the quarterback question that has persisted since the start of training camp.
Hastings Tribune
Falcons' quarterback questions persist after shaky effort by Cooper Rush in opening loss to Steelers
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons' opening loss at Pittsburgh only added more uncertainty to the quarterback question that has persisted since the start of training camp.
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