Video Postgame Press Conference: Falcons' Cooper Rush & HC Kevin Stefanski on Week 1 Loss to Steelers Falcons' QB Cooper Rush and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski address the media following Atlanta’s Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The worst quarterback situation in the NFL right now? The Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons on Sunday started third-stringer Cooper Rush for the second time this season while Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa were designated as inactive due to ongoing health issues.
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Penix Jr. has been recovering from knee surgery following an ACL injury last season.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush prepares to take a snap during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Sept. 20, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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And Tagovailoa was out for the second consecutive week after he suffered an unexpected oblique injury two weeks ago, this time in practice. Although no one touched him.
On Atlanta's opening possession, Rush lost the ball on a fumble, which the Panthers recovered at the Atlanta 35-yard line. Carolina converted the turnover into a touchdown.
Atlanta Falcons players Tua Tagovailoa (1) and Michael Penix Jr. (9) warm up together before an NFL preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Aug. 14, 2026. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Rush threw an interception on the following series, then added a second one later in the game.
He completed 10 of 17 passes against the Panthers, which doesn't sound terrible except that you read the previous paragraphs that outlined Rush's, ahem, struggles with turnovers.
This followed a Week 1 performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in which Rush also threw two interceptions.
"Obviously, extremely disappointed in that game and extremely disappointed in how that game started," Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said. "And then [we] could not crawl out of that hole. And in the second half, it got away from us. So very disappointed.
"As you guys know, giveaways and takeaways are the key to this game and to turn it over that many times ... there's no way to win in the NFL like that."
Stefanski made those feelings known before he ever stepped up to the post-game microphones. Because he benched Rush before the end of the third quarter.
The coach had seen enough. Except the poor quarterback play was far from over.
Stefanski inserted fourth-string quarterback Jack Strand.
Strand threw an interception on his first pass attempt. And it wasn't just any interception. Strand threw a pick six when Devin Lloyd returned his pass 16 yards for a score.
Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass during the joint practice against the Indianapolis Colts at Grand Park Sports Campus on August 19, 2026 in Westfield, Ind. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
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This is Keystone Cops type QB play. The Falcons are used to QB issues, but this is something else again.
The Falcons are hoping that can end by Thursday when they play the Green Bay Packers.
They're hoping Penix Jr., who has been practicing and ramping up toward game action, can start that in Wisconsin. They hope that Tagovailoa will ultimately decide he can tolerate some pain and take the field, or receive an injection to help him do so.
The Falcons are doing a lot of hoping about their quarterback room. And so far, it hasn't paid off.
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