While Arthur Smith’s job is in question, what’s not is the Falcons need for a quarterback. Regardless of who is coaching the team in 2024, there will be a new signal caller in Atlanta.
The market for quarterbacks is robust, with options in the draft and on the pro personnel side of things. Caleb Williams and Drake Maye headline the prospects, but there’s not a faster riser than Jayden Daniels. All three would be home run selections but would require Terry Fontenot to move up the draft board.
The next tier of quarterback prospects isn’t as inspiring but very well could all go in the first round. Two will play on Monday night in the National Championship, J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. Bo Nix’s name is also in the mix.
On the pro personnel side of things, free agency will provide more options than the trade market, which will seemingly only have Justin Fields to offer. The Georgia native has been a popular choice for Falcons fans, and the thought of him returning home is enticing. He’s one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks the league has ever seen, but his contract complicates things.
Free agents wise, there’s a flavor of tea for everyone, but most of them are of the aging variety. Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, and Ryan Tannehill are all 35 years old and provide something a little different that will interest the Falcons. Baker Mayfield is also set to hit free agency.
Tannehill will consistently be linked to Atlanta because of his past connection to Arthur Smith. Cousins has already been dubbed a logical fit for the Falcons as well. Most recently, Atlanta has been seen as an “ideal fit” for Wilson, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
Now, the free agents aren’t as inspiring as they’ve been in years past. I mean, Tom Brady was in the pool not too long ago, but each veteran does have something valuable to offer.
Kirk Cousins was playing like a top 5 quarterback in the NFC before going down with a season-ending injury. If he returns to that level of play, the Falcons would be a shoo-in for the playoffs. Ryan Tannehill’s familiarity with Arthur Smith’s system is the most attractive aspect of the prospect of him coming to Atlanta.
Russell Wilson might be an equally seamless fit for Arthur Smith’s scheme, given his ability to threaten defenses with his feet. But the most enticing facet of Wilson coming to Atlanta is the price tag.
Most except Wilson to be released before the fifth day of the new league year; he could then sign somewhere for the veteran minimum, which would stick the Broncos with all but $1 million of the $39 million guaranteed to Wilson.
Now, a bidding war may ensue for Wilson’s services, but it seems that the veteran will have his pick of the litter and then will sign one of the most team-friendly deals in league history. He’s already guaranteed the $39 million, and Fowler notes that he isn’t likely to do Denver any favors.
Getting Russell Wilson for $1 million is as attractive of a deal as any I’ve seen, but the more I write about possible scenarios, the more I feel it’s important for the Falcons to bring in a veteran and draft a prospect in the first round.
A combination of Russell Wilson and Jayden Daniels would be a dream. Wilson is cheap and gives the Falcons a chance to win in 2024 while not sacrificing the future. Daniels gets a chance to sit and learn behind a Super Bowl champion.
It’s a win-win.
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Photographer: Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire
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