The single biggest factor in the Falcons’ disappointing 2023 campaign was the team’s quarterback play.
Some Desmond Ridder fans or Arthur Smith haters would like to put a majority of the blame on Atlanta’s former head coach, but it would be misplaced. It didn’t matter if the Falcons hired Bill Belichick, Raheem Morris, or Jesus Christ himself; upgrading the quarterback position is a must.
In fact, every single candidate that Atlanta interviewed had the same thing to say about the Falcons quarterback situation. Arthur Blank said there wasn’t a single candidate he spoke to that didn’t define it as “something that needs work.”
“It’s very clear to everybody — all of our fans, all of you, anybody throughout the NFL — is that this is a position that we need to figure out how we’re going to get better in 2024 and beyond that as well, whether that be trades, free agency, the draft, whatever it may be,” Blank said.
To go even a step further, Raheem Morris got blatantly honest about the state of the Falcons quarterback position. When asked about Atlanta being closer to contention than some might think, the club’s new head coach made a factual observation.
“If we had better quarterback play, I may not be standing here at the podium.”
Raheem Morris on Atlanta being closer to contention than one might think:
“If we had better quarterback play I may not be standing here at the podium.” pic.twitter.com/dAZNTt7YTO
— Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) February 27, 2024
Many would describe the Falcons team as a quarterback away or a talented, yet underachieving roster.
If the Falcons had signed and started Baker Mayfield instead of Taylor Heinicke and Desmond Ridder, Arthur Smith would still have a job. Smith certainly believed it held the team back. That was the exact pitch he gave to Arthur Blank to convince the team’s owner to give him a fourth season.
“Part of former head coach Arthur Smith’s pitch for a fourth season in Atlanta was his belief that acquiring a new quarterback would unlock an offense with the potential to be the league’s best, according to league sources,” Josh Kendall of The Athletic writes.
Raheem Morris will suffer the same fate as his predecessor if the Falcons don’t get better quarterback play.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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