5 quarterbacks the Atlanta Falcons can target this offseason

The new-look coaching department of the Atlanta Falcons isn’t necessarily looking to close the door for Desmond Ridder. But they will remain on the hunt and, if possible, acquire an upgrade.

Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson revealed on Wednesday that they are looking at all the options on the table. Robinson also intends to evaluate both Ridder and Taylor Heinicke.

The team’s quarterback coach, TJ Yates, who worked with the receivers last season, spoke in the same vein as Robinson. He revealed that Ridder could be their answer, but he has to improve in order for them to hand him the starting job.

He’s still a young quarterback. But everybody knows it’s a performance business, and you’ve got to perform right now.

Yates told Sports Illustrated.

Ridders started 13 games last season, winning six. The 24-year-old accounted for 64.2 percent of his passes for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He entered the concussion protocol in week 8, and that’s where Heinicke stepped in, playing the next two games.

Head coach Arthur Smith returned to Ridder, but he was benched once more for Heinicke in the Carolina Panthers loss. He continued for the next two games before missing out on the final game of the season due to ankle troubles. The Falcons finished the season with 7-10, costing Smith’s job.

Raheem Morris is now the new man at the helm. Although he has yet to voice his opinion about the quarterback situation, it will be his priority to see a resolution. But will Ridder be the starter next season, or will the Falcons look for a new quarterback?

We're just going to look at every option we have.

Yates claimed

5 quarterbacks the Atlanta Falcons could sign to replace Desmond Ridder

It’s a good thing to have options on the table. That’s because no matter how much Yates and Robinson want to trust Ridder and keep evaluating him, the statistics don’t tend to lie.

Desmond Ridder ranked 26th in the league with 40.1 QBR last season, which was worse than the likes of Aidan O’Connell, who is a fourth-round rookie.

Not only that, he placed fourth for the fumble. Ridder fumbled the ball 12 times, losing it on 7 occasions. He also ate 31 sacks, losing 197 yards.

So the Falcons need to target someone who is either a very good pocket passer or can use his feet really well because until the offensive line is sorted, the sacks will keep piling up. On that note, here are the five suitable quarterback alternatives to Desmond Ridder.

Justin Fields

One of the most talked-about trades that could happen is Justin Fields to the Atlanta Falcons. As per Albert Breer, several teams have approached the Chicago Bears inquiring about the 24-year-old.

One of the primary reasons that this trade is a possibility is because the Bears have the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and they will use it to draft either Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.

This leaves the door open for the Falcons to poach Fields by trading a third-round pick and another late-round pick, an NFL GM told Yahoo Sports. That’s not too bad for the Bears, who could stack up their receiver core or add a few corners. The Falcons should be happy to accept the offer now that the decision rests with Ryan Poles.

J.J. McCarthy 

This is a very outside shout, but J.J. McCarthy could possibly switch Michigan for Georgia. It sounds ironic, but the Falcons are a genuine landing spot for the 2023 CFP champion.

The Atlanta Falcons hold the 8th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which they could use to target a quarterback.

Now the situation is this: Several mock drafts indicate that McCarthy would not be a top-10 pick unless a franchise wanted him to be. McCarthy is projected to be 14 or 15, but if the Falcons target the former Wolverine quarterback, it is doubtful any other franchise would stand in their way. 

The Ringer‘s Benjamin Solak is all for this move.

There are rumors McCarthy will go in the top 15, and this [the Falcons] is one of the landing spots that makes sense. McCarthy reads to me as a Purdy-like quarterback in a Shanahan/McVay system.

Solak said

Russell Wilson

The Super Bowl winner selling his mansion in Denver indicated that his time with the Denver Broncos is at its twilight. If that is the case, then Russell Wilson will be one of the biggest names going into the 2024 offseason.

There are several names thrown into the mix where the veteran quarterback could end up. From backing Aaron Rodgers up in New York to signing with the loaded quarterback core of the Pittsburgh Steelers, it could be anything.

However, one other favorable place that Wilson could play without much competition is the Atlanta Falcons. He will undeniably be the starter for Desmond Ridder, and the former Cincinnati man can learn a thing or two from the nine-time Pro Bowler.

Former Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander fueled the fire while appearing on Up and Adams.

I've been hearing maybe Atlanta. That's what I've been hearing. But I’m not sure.

Alexander told host Kay Adams,

Joe Flacco

Could the NFL see more of Joe Flacco? Why not? The 39-year-old lit up the league last season after the Cleveland Browns signed him temporarily to fix their quarterback conundrum.

Flacco played 5 games for the Browns in the regular season, throwing for over 1616 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions, leading the team to the playoffs, where they lost to the Houston Texans.

His back was in free agency after his spell. But as per an interview with NBC Sports, he will be ready to pad up if required. 

You never know where things are going to take you. And we don’t know what lies ahead at this point, either. It’s been so much fun to be back out in that field. 

Flacco said

The Falcons could approach the 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year and hand him the quarterback job. Under Flacco, Ridder will be able to learn a lot, especially because they are stylistically similar.

Unlike Russell Wilson, acquiring the 39-year-old would not break the bank. The Browns only gave Flacco a one-year $2.5 million contract, which should not be a problem for the Falcons. 

Kirk Cousins

The window for the Minnesota Vikings to renew Kirk Cousins‘ contract is closing rapidly. Cousins hasn’t played since suffering an Achilles tear midway through the season. While the Vikings hierarchy loves the veteran quarterback, they are still second-guessing him on a fully guaranteed deal.

They’re [the Vikings] not going to go contractually where the previous regime did twice and give Cousins a fully guaranteed deal.

As per Albert Breer

This leaves the door open for Cousins to join a side where he could be the starter. The Atlanta Falcons are a great prospect for the four-time Pro Bowler. In fact, DraftKings Sportsbook confirms that the Falcons are one of the favorites to land the 35-year-old.

While the Vikings are still favorites with -200, the non-Minnesota sides are Atlanta at +300. Next is a return to the Washington Commanders, at +500, and the Las Vegas Raiders, at +800. Both the Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots are +1200.

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