The Falcons biggest weaknesses coming into the offseason were quarterback and the pass rush, one of which was strengthened in full.
Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins to a $180 million contract then turned around and selected Michael Penix with their top draft pick. As for the pass rush, the Falcons spent three draft picks on Ruke Orhorhoro, Bralen Trice, and Brandon Dorlus. That was it.
There were no other additions to the defensive front or secondary. The Falcons essentially stuck with the status quo, replacing their co-sack leaders in Calais Campbell and Bud Dupree with three rookies, one of which suffered a season-ending injury in his Falcons debut.
There was hope that Calais Campbell would return to Atlanta with Raheem Morris and Cousins in the fold. He was sold on Arthur Smith’s vision of Desmond Ridder; surely, he’d see Cousins gives a similarly structured team a much better chance in the playoffs.
Well, Campbell ended up choosing the Dolphins, despite potentially a more lucrative offer from the Falcons because he believes his best chance of winning a Super Bowl is in Miami.
“I felt like it was the perfect time,” Campbell said on The Dan Le Batard Show, via Daniel Flick of Sports Illustrated. “I had other offers and other places I think were respectable teams, but the Dolphins just made a lot of sense.”
“I turned down some real money to come here because I believe in Coach McDaniel, I believe in Coach Weaver and the talent we have on the team,” Campbell continued. “I just feel like this is a chance, my best shot at winning the Super Bowl, and that’s the ultimate goal for me.”
What’s confusing to me is the Falcons made it known that they wanted Campbell back, and so when they found out he wouldn’t be returning to Atlanta, they decided to do nothing other than a few Day 2 and 3 draft picks?
That’s not good enough and that is why the Falcons pass rush will once again be anemic.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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