The Falcons have a similar dilemma on their hands this offseason, finding a franchise quarterback. Atlanta has been in QB purgatory since the end of Matt Ryan‘s career, and there’s still no light at the end of the tunnel.
A few months ago, the Falcons looked like they could have a plethora of options. However, as events have transpired, those potential fixes have dwindled. The top two quarterbacks in free agency — Baker Mayfield and Kirk Cousins — look like they might re-sign with their current teams, and the top three quarterback prospects in the draft could very well go with the first three picks. Perhaps the Falcons opt to pivot and make a trade with the Bears for Justin Fields, but there will be no shortage of suitors, given the amount of teams looking for franchise signal callers.
That doesn’t leave a lot of tantalizing options on the board for the Falcons, but one that is beginning to gain some traction is Russell Wilson. He’s a veteran that had some success this past season with the Broncos, and former Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander says he’s hearing Wilson could be the guy for the Falcons next season.
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It’s far from the sexiest scenario, but it may be one Falcons fans have to come to grips with. If the top quarterbacks in both free agency and the draft land elsewhere, Wilson is the next best option if the team doesn’t opt to trade for Justin Fields.
The most attractive aspect of Russell Wilson will be the contract. The Broncos are on the hook for his salary next season, and based on how their relationship ended, most believe he won’t be inclined to give Denver any kind of break. With the way his contract is constructed, whatever Wilson’s next team pays him will be subtracted from what the Broncos owe him. Essentially, it’s possible he settles for the veteran minimum to stick it to the Broncos as much as possible.
Regardless, Russell Wilson is not the long-term option in Atlanta. So if the Falcons do go in this direction as a last resort, they should still be looking to take another quarterback in the draft to develop behind the 2013 Super Bowl champion. It’s not my personal preference, and I’m sure nearly every Falcons fan agrees, but it may be the best possible solution for the biggest problem in Atlanta right now.
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Photographer: Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire
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