The Atlanta Falcons are anticipated to be on the market for a quarterback for the third straight summer.
The Falcons are in need of solutions under center and may look to a nine-time Pro Bowler for assistance after benching Desmond Ridder twice in favor of seasoned backup Taylor Heinicke.
Russell Wilson, the quarterback for the Denver Broncos, was benched this week due to contract disagreements. It is anticipated that Wilson will be dismissed before to the start of the new league season on March 13, 2024.
Additionally, ESPN reports that Wilson may be pursued by the Falcons, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the New England Patriots, among other teams.
“Talked to teams who believe like Atlanta, Pittsburgh, New England, a lot of teams could use a good veteran who was still playing relatively well this year,” Jeremy Fowler, an ESPN insider, said.
The Broncos have guaranteed Wilson $37 million, and once he becomes available, he should find a buyer.
The 35-year-old led the Broncos to a 7-8 record this season by completing 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
Wilson’s two-year stay in Denver comes to an end due to an ongoing off-field dispute with the Broncos’ administration, who informed the former star of the Seattle Seahawks that he would have to postpone receiving his guaranteed salary until 2025.
“They came up to me during the beginning of the bye week, Monday or Tuesday, they told me if I didn’t change my contract, my injury guarantee, that I’d be benched the rest of the year,” Wilson said on Friday.
Wilson started the following seven games, helping Denver win 4-3, so it was obviously not instantaneous. However, he will now sit out the final two weeks to observe Jarrett Stidham.
Regarding the Falcons, Heinicke is hoping for a great finish to turn the team’s remote chances of making the playoffs into a fairytale. However, it is improbable that the 30-year-old will return to Atlanta as the starting quarterback the following season.
The employment status of general manager Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith, the former of whom is in particular peril, is a crucial factor in the Falcons’ possible pursuit of Wilson.
In the event that Smith and Fontenot miss the playoffs but play similar roles for a fourth season, they will probably find themselves in a postseason-or-bust scenario.
Would the two take a chance on a rookie quarterback in such a year? Maybe, but on paper at least, a staff that is in dire need of victories would be better served by choosing to recruit a senior starter.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the Falcons are in this conversation given that Wilson is anticipated to be among the top veteran alternatives accessible this offseason.
It’s important to note that Atlanta will visit the Broncos in Denver the following season; however, the ramifications of that matchup are a topic for another time.
The Falcons (7-8) are currently focused on the here and now, as they prepare for a crucial game against the Chicago Bears (6-9) on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST at Soldier Field.
The Falcons (7-8) are currently focused on the here and now, as they prepare for a crucial game against the Chicago Bears (6-9) on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST at Soldier Field.
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