The Falcons ended with a 7-10 record and the 8th overall pick for the third season in a row, and for the third consecutive offseason, Atlanta has questions surrounding the quarterback position.
Though many are high on Raheem Morris, there isn’t a head coach or offensive coordinator on the planet that could’ve overcome the Falcons poor quarterback play last year.
Some might point to Arthur Smith as the primary culprit. Yes, he played a role, but Desmond Ridder was the single biggest factor in Atlanta’s shortcomings this past season.
Want proof? Every single candidate that interviewed for the Falcons head coaching vacancy told the search committee that the quarterback position had to be addressed, and Arthur Smith landed an offensive coordinator position with the Steelers.
It’s inarguably the biggest offseason task for the Falcons, but the roster needs a little TLC in other areas as well. An edge defender, cornerback, and wide receiver seem like priorities, while an interior defender and offensive tackle are less pressing needs.
The roster has been described as talented, yet underachieving; however, the quarterback position is holding the Falcons back. Regardless of where you look, national pundits do not see the club fondly, constantly including them among the worst teams in post-Super Bowl power rankings.
27. Atlanta Falcons
It’s hard to believe that new Falcons head coach Raheem Morris got his first head-coaching opportunity (with Tampa) 15 years ago, and it’s hard not to think he’ll be better prepared for this chance, with a fairly talented roster. The Falcons were underachievers in 2023, no matter how anyone spins it. But there’s also no doubt that quarterback improvements are needed, one way or another. I’d personally love to see Justin Fields land in Atlanta. Beyond the fact that he grew up there (which is a cool aspect of it), Fields could be the perfect fit for a ground-heavy attack mixed with big-play shots to Drake London and Kyle Pitts. Fields has been a more efficient thrower indoors, too, and the cost to acquire him from the Bears likely wouldn’t be too prohibitive — if Fields is available, that is. Morris should be able to have this defense ready to be a good unit again, and if all that happened, I would be more willing to back the Falcons as a division contender in 2024.
29. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have a new head coach, with Raheem Morris taking over for the fired Arthur Smith, and $25.8 million in salary-cap space. What they don’t have is a quarterback. That’s why they will be attached to every available one until the question is settled. Justin Fields? Sure, he could be an option. Kirk Cousins? He’s familiar with the new offensive system. Trading up from No. 8 in the draft to get Jayden Daniels? Might be an option. That’s a preview of the next two months for the Falcons.
26. Atlanta Falcons
Now that Atlanta has hired a new coach (Raheem Morris) and offensive coordinator (Zac Robinson), the franchise has to figure out who is going to be running the show. That Morris didn’t mention Taylor Heinicke or Desmond Ridder when he answered questions about the quarterback position at his introductory news conference said a lot — especially since he named a bunch of outside ways to get better play at the position. Does it come through the draft? Free agency? A trade? Any — or possibly more than one — are possibilities. — Michael Rothstein
As of right now, I don’t see that ranking as unfair. With the current roster, the Falcons aren’t a good football team, but that won’t be the case for long. The offseason will revolve around the quarterback position. Some expect the club to bring in multiple players, completely overhauling the current room.
I wouldn’t be shocked if that’s the case. A veteran to compete in the short term paired with a youngster to invest in the long term seems appropriate for a team that has taken exactly zero big swings at the position since Matt Ryan was traded.
—
Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
You must log in to post a comment.