Should Falcons give undrafted rookie QB Jack Strand a more serious look?

Playing undrafted rookie quarterback Jack Strand would be a last resort for the Atlanta Falcons, but they may become that desperate in 2026.

The Falcons have one of the worst QB situations in the NFL, and it became even bleaker on Monday. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said third-year passer Michael Penix Jr. (ACL) will begin the season inactive and didn't say when he'll return. That's a bit of a surprise after he had recently been cleared for 11-on-11 activities in practice.

Penix was set to battle Tua Tagovailoa for the starting job, but it was never a true competition after he missed most of team activities in training camp. Tagovailoa, a former Miami Dolphin, will now start in Week 1 at the Pittsburgh Steelers (Fox, 1 p.m. ET). Former Dallas Cowboy Cooper Rush, meanwhile, will serve as QB2. Strand will be QB3, but he could soon climb the depth chart.

In a bold predictions piece published on Sept. 5, NFL.com's Grant Gordon predicted Strand, a former star for the Minnesota State-Moorhead Dragons in Division II, would start more games than Tagovailoa and Penix this season. We wouldn't go that far, but Strand starting or playing at some point this season is more plausible than you'd think.

Penix and Tagovailoa both have extensive injury histories. 2020 first-round pick Tagovailoa has been diagnosed with four concussions. 2024 first-round pick Penix, meanwhile, suffered ACL tears and shoulder injuries during his six-year collegiate career with the Indiana Hoosiers and Washington Huskies.

When they've been healthy, their play has been erratic. Over his past two seasons, Tagovailoa went 12-13 as a starter, tossing 39 touchdown passes and 22 interceptions. Penix, meanwhile, had a 4-8 starting record, throwing 12 touchdown passes and six interceptions.

The Falcons could roll with Rush, who has a 9-7 record as a starter over eight seasons, but seeing what they have in Strand would be a better idea. The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder flashed upside in the preseason, finishing 24-of-36 passing for 306 yards, one TD and one interception.

From the source .@AtlantaFalcons QB Jack Strand throws for 212 yards and scores 2 touchdowns in Preseason Week 2

"Strand obviously faces a major jump in competition, but he has an intriguing developmental skill set with a whip for an arm, promising field vision and the processing to spread the ball around the field," wrote The Athletic's Dane Brugler in his scouting report.

One-time Pro Bowler Tagovailoa may surprise, but it's more likely that he'll struggle. The same could be said for Penix when he's healthy.

Considering that, the Falcons shouldn't rule out taking a more serious look at Strand. If he stinks, no big deal. They can take a QB in the 2027 NFL Draft, perhaps Darian Mensah (Miami Hurricanes) or Dante Moore (Oregon Ducks). But if he excels, Atlanta's outlook at the most important position will suddenly become much brighter.