In 2018 the hearts of many Georgia Bulldogs were crushed by a true freshman on the biggest stage in college football. Tua Tagovailoa found fellow true freshman Devonta Smith in one of the wildest plays in the history of the sport that led to Georgia losing to Alabama in the National Championship game.
While the state of Georgia was stunned and will forever remember this moment, it seems like the Atlanta Falcons may have short-term memory. After the Dolphins released Tagovailoa on Sunday, reports are already circulating that the Falcons are making a strong push for the former Crimson Tide quarterback.
Tua Tagovailoa, Falcons in early contract talks
Realistically this move would make sense for Atlanta. Their first-round pick from just a few drafts ago Michael Penix Jr. just suffered a season-ending injury, and he already has a history of having these types of injuries in college. Their backup, Kirk Cousins, is now reportedly on the market in free agency as well. Atlanta now has no other option other than injury-prone Penix.
Tagovailoa could be a rather inexpensive option as compared to other quarterbacks on the market or in the draft. Plus, even though they were never in Alabama at the same time, Tommy Rees was the offensive coordinator for the Crimson Tide for a short period before coming back to the NFL.
Should this sting to Georgia fans? A little. However, the Dawgs can celebrate the fact they just beat Alabama by three scores in the SEC title game. Georgia now has two National Championships and a handful of SEC Championships since this moment in 2018.
Needless to say, Kirby Smart was not wrong that Georgia was not going anywhere. As for as Atlanta goes, it has been pure disaster since their Super Bowl blunder a decade ago. If Tua is the answer to bring the Falcons to the promised land, then so be it. If he ends up panning out, I think the Georgia faithful can be a little forgiving.