The Atlanta Falcons have taken a cautious approach this offseason, drawing criticism from anonymous NFL executives who question their strategy. While the team didn't land any marquee free agents and their draft class ranks near the bottom of the league, there was one move that stood out: signing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to bolster their revamped QB room. At less than $1 million for a one-year deal, it's hard to call the signing a mistake. But even with Tua in the mix, analysts believe the Falcons still have one of the weakest quarterback units in the NFL.

CBS Sports' Garrett Podell recently ranked Atlanta's QB room as the fifth-worst in the league. "Both Tagovailoa and Penix Jr. are injury risks, but Tagovailoa is the least injured of the two at the moment," Podell noted. "Penix Jr. will likely return to the starting quarterback when healthy, but it would make sense for them to be cautious with his rehab."

At the very bottom of Podell's list sit the comically dysfunctional Cleveland Browns and New York Jets, followed by the Aaron Rodgers-less Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kyler Murray-less Arizona Cardinals. That's it—only four teams are supposedly in worse shape than Atlanta, according to this ranking.

Now, nobody would argue that this is an elite QB unit, but ranking them so low feels a bit harsh. Michael Penix's knee issues are a legitimate concern, but he played at an extremely high level during his final two seasons at Washington. With a consistent run of starts, he could theoretically elevate his game far beyond what we've seen so far in the pros.

As for Tua Tagovailoa, his concussion history is a major red flag, but his ceiling is undeniable. In 2022, he posted the best passer rating in the league. The following season, he led the NFL in passing yards. And in 2024, he boasted the league's best completion rate. Yes, Tua's performance was shaky last season, but his potential still outshines many of the quarterbacks on teams ranked above him.

For Falcons fans, the QB room may not be a strength, but it's far from a lost cause. With a mix of high-ceiling talent and cautious optimism, Atlanta could surprise the doubters when the season kicks off.