Michael Penix Jr and Tua Tagovailoa have already given us a potential 'Meme of the Year' contender
Michael Penix Jr.’s Sideline Gesture Sparks NFL Preseason Meme
Atlanta, GA – The 2026 NFL preseason began with an unexpected source of internet buzz when Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. pointed to teammate Tua Tagovailoa on the sidelines and pulled a “Can you believe this?” expression. The moment, captured by fans in the stands, quickly went viral, earning the nickname of “the meme of the year” on early social‑media chatter.
The Falcons were at home for a 27‑7 loss to the Denver Broncos at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium on Friday night. While the game itself was a familiar preseason story, the sideline interaction between Penix and Tagovailoa turned the otherwise routine contest into a cultural talking point.
A game that didn’t need a highlight reel
Tagovailoa, who was acquired by the Falcons in the offseason, made his first pass in a Falcons uniform. He completed three of five attempts for 22 yards before the team’s rookie quarterbacks had to step in. Jack Strand, the veteran quarterback who was still on the roster, finished the first half with a 50‑yard, one‑touchdown performance, while Cooper Rush, the backup who was making his first start, struggled in the second half, going 7‑for‑19 and throwing two interceptions for a 62‑yard effort.
Penix, still recovering from an injury, did not see any playing time during the game. He was on the sidelines during Tagovailoa’s first possession, and that is where the meme moment occurred. According to reports from the Falcons’ coaching staff, Penix was simply reacting to the rookie’s awkward first snaps, and the expression was an unintentional nod to a well‑known “The Office” meme.
The meme takes off
Within minutes of the game’s conclusion, footage of Penix’s reaction spread across Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram. Users quickly paired the clip with the “Can you believe this?” phrase, and the image became a go‑to reference for anything that seemed unexpectedly awkward or bizarre. Commentators noted that the NFL has long been fertile ground for memes, citing recent examples such as a Raiders rookie’s comparison to “Mr. Brady” and a Denver quarterback’s viral moment. The Falcons’ sideline clip is expected to dominate the internet conversation until the regular season’s first game, when new moments will likely surface.
Reactions from the team and players
Tagovailoa, in a post‑game interview, laughed off the incident. “It’s all good,” he said. “We’re just getting warmed up. I’m glad people can have a laugh.” Penix, who was not on the field, offered a brief nod in the team’s locker‑room video, acknowledging the joke.
Falcons head coach and owner officials have remained silent on the viral moment, focusing instead on the team’s preseason performance and the development of the quarterbacks. The coaching staff emphasized the need for a solid offensive strategy as the season progresses and the team’s depth charts are solidified.
Looking ahead
The Falcons will now look to the rest of the preseason to assess their roster and to ensure that the rookie quarterbacks are ready for the regular season. Meanwhile, the meme will likely fade from internet feeds once the regular season starts and new moments arise. As fans and players alike continue to share the clip, the incident will remain a memorable highlight of the 2026 preseason.
Whether the meme will endure as the definitive “2026 NFL meme” remains to be seen, but for now it has cemented itself as a playful snapshot of a preseason game that will be remembered long after the final whistle.