The Atlanta Falcons are a talented team with strong players on both sides of the ball, but they haven’t reached their full potential because of their troubles at the most crucial position in football—quarterback.
In order to see what second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder could do, Atlanta passed up superior options, but Ridder battled all season long and eventually cost the team multiple times. And when backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke took over for Ridder, he was just as disappointing.
It seems quite likely that the Falcons will acquire a new quarterback this summer to lead the offence, but ESPN goes one better and projects that they will add not just one, but two signal-callers.
The first of those quarterbacks is Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, who has been linked to the Falcons on several occasions recently. It’s almost a given that Wilson will be benched by the Broncos this offseason after being cut late in the season. According to ESPN, the Falcons will provide him a new home once they sign him to a three-year contract worth $36 million in free agency, with a $20 million front-end guarantee.
“The Falcons learned this season what below-average quarterback play can do to a franchise’s playoff hopes,” according to ESPN. “The intention is to win with this team, as stated by owner Arthur Blank and CEO Rich McKay, and Wilson is the best and most experienced alternative available. With playmakers Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts all slated for significant roles in 2024, Wilson would not have as much burden on him from the team surrounding him. In the event that things don’t work out, the contract conditions also permit a very easy split.”
Wilson, a nine-time pick to the Pro Bowl, has not had the best of luck in Denver. Although he played much better this season, he frequently disagreed with new coach Sean Payton after his first season was a total bust. With two games remaining in the season, Wilson was benched for financial concerns, even though the Broncos were still in the running for the playoffs, which brought their turbulent relationship to a breaking point.
Even though Wilson isn’t the same player he was with the Seattle Seahawks, he could be able to make a difference if Atlanta possesses Wilson’s arsenal of weapons.
