NFL Rumors: Falcons Could Make Lions-like Jump If They Find a QB, Exec Says

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 19, 2024

Justin Casterline/Getty Images

The Atlanta Falcons could be primed for a major glow-up next season.

Well, if they get the right head coach and quarterback in place, that is, according to an executive who spoke with Jori Epstein and Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports:

“If they get the right coach and figure it out at quarterback, it could be a [rise] like the [Detroit] Lions. I don’t think they’re as talented as Detroit offensively, but they do have some potentially elite pieces. Plus, their defense is in good shape as it is, although there are a couple of pieces that will age out. … With the right quarterback, maybe a receiver to pair with Drake London and [Kyle] Pitts, and a little investment in the offensive line, they could have one of the best offenses in the NFC.”Bill Belichick might just be that coach, with reports surfacing on Thursday that he would be interviewing with Atlanta for the second time this weekend and is the frontrunner for the position:

Ian Rapoport @RapSheetSources: Former #Patriots coach Bill Belichick will have a second interview with the #Falcons brass this weekend after meeting with owner Arthur Blank 1-on-1 this past week. Things are ramping up with the greatest coach of all time… pic.twitter.com/UR8LnJcYSS

JosinaAnderson @JosinaAndersonBarring a snag in negotiations or a future development (still have to get a signature), I’m expecting Bill Belichick to become the next head coach of the NFC South* Atlanta Falcons. His previous rapport with #Falcons CEO Rich McKay creates comfort he can’t mimic in any other… https://t.co/lnVHs88mHK

Addressing the quarterback position will be just as important after Desmond Ridder struggled mightily in his second season (2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 64.2 completion percentage, 6-7 record as the starter).

The Falcons have four main paths they could take at the position this offseason.

The first is the least likely: They could could stick with Ridder for one more season and see if he continues to develop. Maybe the Falcons don’t want to give up on him so quickly, but the wise decision would be to at least have a contingency plan in place.

Which brings up option No. 2: Chasing a quarterback in free agency. The Falcons could go with a veteran option to provide competition for Ridder (think a player in the Gardner Minshew/Ryan Tannehill/Jacoby Brissett mold), or they could splash a bit more cash and chase an instant replacement (Kirk Cousins will be the top option for teams going that route, but Baker Mayfield is an intriguing choice as well).

The third option is to seek a quarterback on the trade market, though this one will be dependent on whether solid options are made available. The obvious name that will come to mind here is Justin Fields, given the Chicago Bears have the top overall pick and the chance to draft Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.

Kyler Murray might have been lumped into that group earlier in the year too, but he and the Arizona Cardinals seem to be very much on the same page at this point, he’s still only 26 years old and the Cardinals aren’t drafting in the Williams-Maye range (assuming they are the first two players off the board).

In other words, there’s little reason for the team to move on from Murray unless they truly don’t believe in him, which hasn’t been the vibe coming out of the desert.

Finally, the Falcons could draft a quarterback. They could try to trade up to land a player like Williams or Maye, but getting a top-two pick will cost a small fortune. If they stick at No. 8, players like defending Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels or National Championship Game runner-up Michael Penix Jr. might be available.

Land the right quarterback via any of the scenarios outlined above, and the Falcons could go from mediocrity to the top of the weak NFC South in a hurry.