Sept. 10, 2026, 7:04 a.m. ET
The Atlanta Falcons will open the 2026 NFL season on the road against Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. While the Falcons have named Tua Tagovailoa their starting quarterback for Week 1, the former top-five pick will need to perform at a high level to keep his job. Tagovailoa understands what’s at stake, and is staying ready for the moment. “What I can control is how I prepare, how I go out there, how I play, how I perform, and that’s all I can do,” Tagovailoa told reporters on Wednesday.
Aside from the quarterback competition, the Falcons listed two rookie starters on their Week 1 depth chart. Second-round pick Avieon Terrell is the starting nickel, while Kendal Daniels will start alongside Divine Deablo at inside linebacker.
Third-round pick Zachariah Branch will back up Olamide Zaccheaus in the slot, but the rookie wide receiver will serve as the team’s starting punt returner. Lastly, running back Brian Robinson is Atlanta’s starting kick return man.
Check out the Falcons’ starting lineups on offense, defense and special teams for Sunday’s season opener in Pittsburgh. Falcons Week 1 starting lineup: Offense QB Tua Tagovailoa RB Bijan Robinson WR Drake London WR Jahan Dotson WR Olamide Zaccheaus TE Kyle Pitts TE Charlie Woerner LT Jake Matthews LG Matthew Bergeron C Ryan Neuzil RG Chris Lindstrom RT Jawaan Taylor Falcons Week 1 starting lineup: Defense DE Cameron Thomas DL Maason Smith DL LaCale London DE Brandon Dorlus ILB Divine Deablo ILB Kendal Daniels CB A.J. Terrell CB Mike Hughes NB Avieon Terrell S Jessie Bates III S Xavier Watts Falcons Week 1 starting lineup: Special Teams K Nick Folk P Jake Bailey LS Liam Mccullough KR Brian Robinson PR Zachariah Branch
