Michael Penix Jr. Compared to Tua Tagovailoa 'with a Better Arm' by NFL Execs, Scouts | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Jackson Reed
Published Mar 25, 2026
As a left-handed quarterback getting ready to enter the NFL, Michael Penix Jr. is drawing comparisons to the only other lefty signal-caller in the league right now.
Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, NFL scouts and executives most frequently compared Penix to Tua Tagovailoa "with a better arm" than the Miami Dolphins quarterback.
Tagovailoa's entire approach has changed since Mike McDaniel became Miami's head coach. He was regarded as a quarterback who didn't throw deep and wouldn't throw over the middle of the field during his first two seasons in the NFL.
One of the biggest knocks on Penix from his college tape has been his inability to attack the middle of the field. He had the highest uncatchable throw rate and worst accurate throw rate on intermediate throws in the middle of the field among the 15 quarterbacks in this year's draft class.
CFBNumbers @CFBNumbersPenix on throws 10-19 yards down the middle of the field (Tua's bread and butter): <br><br>Among 15 2024 draft QBs: <br><br>44.1% Accurate throw rate (Lowest)<br>34.3% Uncatchable throw rate (Highest) <a href="">
Ryan Edwards @redwardsradioGreat stat from <a href="">@Nate_Tice</a> on Michael Penix Jr. MOF throws this season <a href="">
If the Tagovailoa comparison is specifically about what he's done as a deep passer over the past two seasons since Tyreek Hill arrived in Miami, that would make sense for Penix. His body of work throughout the 2023 season at Washington was aided by having playmakers like Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Ja'Lynn Polk on the outside who were great at winning on the outside.
One AFC executive told Fowler that Penix isn't necessarily the type of quarterback who can carry a team, but "he can deliver the ball consistently" with a good supporting cast around him.
That's largely what Tagovailoa has been in his NFL career. When he got an innovative offensive head coach, along with the dynamic receiver duo of Hill and Jaylen Waddle, his career took off.
Tagovailoa struggled in his first career playoff game last season. He finished 20-of-39 for 199 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 26-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Against the best defense Penix saw last season, he went 27-of-51 for 255 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in a 34-13 loss to Michigan in the College Football Playoff Championship Game.
As long as Penix goes to a situation in the NFL with an innovative offensive system that can take advantage of his arm talent and good talent around him so he doesn't have to be the main focus of the unit, he could step in as a quality starter right away.
