Falcons’ Tagovailoa Lands on List of QBs Poised for Reinvention: How Will It Happen?

With the Seattle Seahawks recently winning the Super Bowl behind former proclaimed bust Sam Darnold, expect teams across the league to take a closer look at giving failed quarterbacks a legitimate second chance as starters, not just experienced backups.

One quarterback who fits that mold is recent Atlanta Falcons signee Tua Tagovailoa, who went off course last season after ranking among the NFL’s top passers over the previous three years.

Last season, the former Pro Bowler threw the second-most interceptions in the NFL (15) and recorded the fewest passing yards (2,660) among quarterbacks who started at least 14 games.

In a recent article by Jeffri Chadiha of NFL.com, the former Dolphins quarterback was named among five signal-callers ready to reinvent their careers and emerge as “the next Sam Darnold.”

"Tagovailoa's career in Miami was so up and down and filled with health problems that it's easy to forget how good he looked when he was on," Chadiha said. "Tagovailoa's chances of turning his career around should be helped by his supporting cast... the major questions here are: 1) Tagovailoa's ability to stay healthy and 2) his ability to move beyond his issues in Miami."

Will Tagovailoa Return To His Old Form?

Tagovailoa has led the NFL in passing yards, completion percentage and completion percentage. | Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

While serving as the Dolphins' full-time starter over the past five years, Tagovailoa led Miami to two playoff appearances, compiling a 44-32 record as a starter. The former Pro Bowler has led the NFL in passing yards (4,624), completion percentage (72.9), and passer rating (105.5), each in separate seasons.

In the only season that he went without injured (2023), he led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards while also setting a career-high with 29 touchdowns. While it's easy to point as his health for the reason for his unprecedented success, it goes a bit further beyond that.

That season, Miami operated with a nearly fully healthy offensive core. First-team All-Pro receiver Tyreek Hill, led the NFL with 1,799 receiving yards while tying for the league lead with 13 touchdown catches, running back, Raheem Mostert led the league with 15 rushing touchdowns, and Jaylen Waddle added another 1,000-yard receiving season.

It might seem far-fetched to expect him to ever be around a similar slate of weapons, but you could make that argument about the Falcons' skill players. Runningback Bijan Robinson and tight end Kyle Pitts both earned All-Pro nods last year, and receiver Drake London is a year removed from a 1,271 yard and nine touchdown season.

"I'm excited to be able to use those weapons in OTAs and be able to just work with these guys," Tagovailoa said.

With all three players showing such impressive potential, and none older than 25, a career reinvention isn’t out of the question.

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