Mike Tomlin Shades Tua Tagovailoa Ahead of QB's Falcons Debut vs. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach and current NFL on NBC analyst Mike Tomlin isn't high on Tua Tagovailoa's prospects as quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons.

While breaking down the upcoming game between the Steelers and Falcons in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL regular season during Wednesday's NBC broadcast (h/t Chris Ward of SteelersNow.com), Tomlin was less than complimentary of Tua.

"It's less about [Steelers quarterback] Aaron [Rodgers] for me, and it's more about the quarterback on the other side. His last visit to Pittsburgh didn't go well. I was in the stadium that day. They lost. He got benched."

Tomlin was referencing the Steelers' 28-15 win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 15 last season.

Tagovailoa threw for 253 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, and he was sacked four times in the game. One week later, Miami benched Tua in favor of Quinn Ewers.

Originally the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft by the Dolphins, Tagovailoa spent his first six seasons in Miami.

Results were mixed, as he went 44-32 as a starter, while throwing for 18,166 yards, 120 touchdowns and 59 interceptions over 78 games, but was unable to win a playoff game.

Tua also failed to take the Dolphins to the playoffs over his final two seasons in Miami, and he finished last season with just 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 picks in 14 games.

The Dolphins cut ties with Tagovailoa and signed Malik Willis as his replacement this past offseason, opening the door for Tua to join the Falcons in free agency.

Atlanta needed a veteran quarterback following the departure of Kirk Cousins, and Tua was brought in to compete with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job.

There was no true competition during training camp and the preseason, though, as Penix is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season, and did not appear in any preseason games.

Because of that, Tagovailoa was named Atlanta's starter essentially by default, although the decision was not officially made until this week.

Tagovailoa will have no shortage of high-end weapons at his disposal in the form of running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts.

When the likes of Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert were at their best in Miami, Tua played his best football, including a Pro Bowl campaign in 2023 that saw him lead the NFL with 4,624 passing yards, while also throwing 29 touchdown passes.

It is fair to wonder if Tagovailoa still has that level of play in him, but Tomlin seemingly doesn't expect to see it when the Falcons go on the road to face the Steelers on Sunday.