The NFL season kicked off with a bang, but not everyone on the field was the center of attention. Tua Tagovailoa, the Falcons' current starting quarterback while Michael Penix Jr. recovers from an ACL injury, found himself in the crosshairs of NBC's studio crew—especially new analyst and former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
Tomlin, known for his no-nonsense demeanor, didn't sugarcoat his thoughts on Tagovailoa's upcoming matchup against his former team. "His last visit to Pittsburgh didn't go well. I was in the stadium that day," Tomlin said on the broadcast. "They lost. He got benched. I think it's gonna be a good day for Mike McCarthy and the Steelers."
Tagovailoa's last trip to Pittsburgh was indeed forgettable—he threw for 253 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, but the Dolphins fell 28-15. That game turned out to be his final start in Miami before the team moved on. Now, with the Falcons, he's trying to prove he can still be a reliable starter, but Tomlin's words add another layer of scrutiny.
The criticism didn't come out of nowhere. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported that if Tagovailoa struggles against the Steelers and gets benched again, the Falcons could follow the Dolphins' lead and release him. "If it doesn't go well and he is benched again, I'm told there's a strong possibility the Falcons will do what the Dolphins did and cut Tua Tagovailoa," Florio said.
That's a heavy weight for any quarterback, let alone one who's already been through a high-profile split. But Tomlin's jab wasn't just about the past—it was a prediction of what's to come. The Steelers' defense, now under Mike McCarthy's guidance, is expected to be formidable, and Tomlin clearly believes they'll have the upper hand.
Tomlin's debut on NBC wasn't all smooth sailing, though. He accidentally called Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba "JNS" instead of "JSN," a slip that fans found amusing. But his blunt analysis and occasional humor have already made him a fan favorite in the broadcast booth.
As Tagovailoa prepares for Sunday's game, the pressure is mounting. A strong performance could silence critics and secure his spot in Atlanta, but another benching could spell the end of his tenure with the Falcons. The stakes are high, and Tomlin's comments have only intensified the spotlight.
Meanwhile, Tomlin will be back on air this weekend for the Cowboys-Giants matchup on Sunday Night Football, where he'll likely have more sharp takes. But for now, all eyes are on Pittsburgh, where Tagovailoa will try to rewrite the narrative. Will he rise to the occasion, or will Tomlin's words prove prophetic? Only Sunday will tell.
For more on the Falcons' quarterback situation, check out Tomlin's thoughts on his best Steelers teams and the growing debate over NFL's opening Sunday.
