After another disappointing season from the Atlanta Falcons, no one is sure what to expect of the franchise in the future. On the hunt for a new QB, many fans are expecting a trade for Justin Fields or the use of their 2024 first-round draft pick on a promising young QB. However, a third promising option is one that most would not expect, and some may even hate. Russel Wilson.
After problems arose between Russel Wilson and his head coach on the Broncos, Sean Payton, Wilson was benched for the final two weeks of the regular season, leading many to assume that his time with Denver is coming to an end. Fortunately for Wilson, his contract guarantees him $39M regardless of whether the Broncos decide to keep him. This presents an opportunity for the Falcons as they could potentially sign Russel Wilson for almost nothing.
However, this is a decision most Atlanta Falcons fans wouldn’t approve of. Despite his success on the biggest stage in the NFL, fans see him as “washed” and don’t think he is good enough to lead a contending team. However, Wilson’s performance in the 2023 season showed otherwise. Wilson was able to bring his team from a 1-5 record to an even 8-8 before being benched, losing just 3 of the last 10 games. Alongside a developing young offense with players such as Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Tyler Allgier, and the recent 1st rounder Bijan Robinson, Wilson could guide the Falcons to success.
Although most fans would be heavily displeased with Russel Wilson, it’s hard to find a QB that can live up to expectations, as seen in recent seasons, and the Falcons should take the chance before it is too late. After 14 seasons with Matt Ryan, Falcons fans have become accustomed to having a great QB, and need to understand that finding someone to fill his shoes is much harder than it seems.
A fallout between a veteran QB and his head coach may not seem like much to others, but for the Falcons, this could be the opportunity they have been waiting for. Russell Wilson may not be at the level he was once at, but he showed flashes of greatness in his recent season and could very well be the future face of the Falcons. However, nothing is guaranteed, and fans will have to wait to see what the future holds for the Atlanta Falcons.
