Atlanta Falcons Have An Opportunity For A Big Splash This Offseason
By Kyle Edmond
Atlanta Falcons Step 1: Find A Quarterback, Lamar Jackson
There are few quarterbacks on the market that could change the course of a franchise this offseason and with Tom Brady retiring it takes a potential name off the table and adds another team to the mix in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. One player that could remain a factor is Lamar Jackson.
It’s still unknown whether or not Jackson will even hit the open market. Baltimore can still bring him back with an extension before free agency, but few reports have shown progress between the two sides. If a deal isn’t done, Jackson will immediately become the top free agent available.
Obviously adding a quarterback in Atlanta would allow the release of Marcus Mariota, meaning Atlanta would have about $63 million to work with. The only other teams with $40+ million available, as of now, are the Chicago Bears and New York Giants, and both have quarterbacks.
Atlanta has the cap space available to go after Lamar Jackson. Jackson is going to want to be one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the league, if not the highest, which will demand between $46-55 million on the cap just in 2023 alone.
Atlanta is possibly the only team out there that needs a quarterback and has the cap space available to make a run at Lamar Jackson. If Jackson hits the mark, they need to make an offer and secure the only franchise quarterback in the NFC South.