In an interview with 92.9 The Game’s Dukes and Bell, Wyche emphasized that Atlanta plans to be aggressive in trading up in the draft, suggesting that Justin Fields and Kirk Cousins are not their top choices. Peter King also hinted in his retirement column that the Bears might trade the No. 1 pick, giving the Falcons a slim chance to move up for their desired quarterback.
However, the reality is that trading up for top quarterback prospects like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels seems unlikely due to competition from other teams like the Bears, Commanders, and Patriots, all of whom also need a quarterback.
If one of these teams does decide to trade their pick, the Falcons would have to outbid the Giants, Vikings, Raiders, and Broncos. This presents numerous challenges in their quest to draft a franchise quarterback.
Considering these obstacles, it’s crucial for the Falcons to have a solid backup plan. Seth Walder believes the Falcons will pursue Kirk Cousins in free agency as a contingency.
Cousins could be a good fit for Atlanta, especially if he has fully recovered from his Achilles injury. He would be transitioning from one former Sean McVay assistant (Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell) to another (Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson). With a strong roster and improved quarterback play, the Falcons could become NFC South favorites and potentially win playoff games.
For Atlanta, signing Cousins might be the best option to compete in 2024. While drafting a rookie or signing another free agent could be considered, none may make the Falcons as competitive as Cousins would immediately. This approach could delay the search for a long-term quarterback solution until the 2025 offseason, which, considering the circumstances, might not be a bad outcome.
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