NFL Week 1 QB Carousel: Tua to Atlanta, Watson Survives in Cleveland
Adam Schefter confirms Week 1 starting quarterbacks for the Falcons, Browns, Raiders, and Vikings, setting up a chaotic start to the NFL season.
HotTakes Editorial TeamUpdated 1 min read
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Adam Schefter just dropped the Week 1 starting quarterback assignments for four of the most chaotic franchises in the NFL, and the names look like a Madden franchise mode simulation that got left on auto-pilot.
Tua Tagovailoa is officially taking the snaps for the Atlanta Falcons, Deshaun Watson is somehow still starting for the Cleveland Browns, Kirk Cousins is packing his bags for the Las Vegas Raiders, and Kyler Murray is the new face of the Minnesota Vikings.
"Heading into Week 1, the initial QB questions have been answered: Atlanta: Tua Tagovailoa, Cleveland: Deshaun Watson, Las Vegas: Kirk Cousins, Minnesota: Kyler Murray (Adam Schefter)"
Tua landing the job in Atlanta makes him the sixth different Week 1 starting quarterback for the Falcons in the last six years. That is an impressive level of instability for a franchise that treats the most important position in sports like a rental car. He only played 11 games last season due to hip and concussion issues, meaning the under on his weekly passing props is going to be a popular, if incredibly stressful, sweat for bettors.
Then there is Cleveland. Watson is rolling out for Week 1 despite suffering his second Achilles tear in less than a year this past January. He threw for just 1,148 yards and five touchdowns in 2024 before his body gave out again. The fact that he is still the Week 1 starter is a beautiful, tragic testament to the sunk-cost fallacy of a fully guaranteed contract.
Out west, Cousins brings his very specific brand of aggressively competent football to the desert, while Murray takes over a Vikings offense that desperately needs his mobility. Oddsmakers now have the impossible task of pricing in Watson's fragile Achilles, Tua's injury history, and Cousins trying to learn a new playbook in the shadow of the Vegas strip.
Week 1 is going to be a massive stress test for these four medical staffs and offensive coordinators. If recent history is any indicator, at least two of these fanbases will be screaming for their backup quarterback by halftime of the season opener.
Key stats
Key statsTua Tagovailoa is the 6th different Week 1 starting QB for the Falcons in the last 6 years.
Deshaun Watson threw for just 1,148 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2024.
Watson is returning from his second Achilles tear, which he suffered in January 2025.
Tagovailoa played in just 11 games last season due to hip and concussion injuries.
What's next
Week 1 will serve as a massive stress test for these quarterbacks, particularly for injury-prone starters like Tagovailoa and Watson, who could face early pressure if they struggle out of the gate.
