Falcons’ offense among NFL’s biggest offseason winners

If the Atlanta Falcons did nothing else during the 2024 NFL offseason, they addressed the quarterback position. And with it being arguably the most important position in the league, the Falcons’ offense is expected to be significantly better in the 2024 season.

For this reason, Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski called the Falcons’ offense one of the biggest winners of the offseason.

“This offseason, the Falcons signed the top free agent quarterback available, Kirk Cousins, to a four-year, $180 million contract,” Sobleski wrote.

“Over the past three seasons, Cousins ​​has thrown 80 touchdowns to just 26 interceptions, even as he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon.

“The Falcons planned for every contingency by selecting Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick. They now have a succession plan in place, so they shouldn’t find themselves in a difficult situation where poor quarterback play affects the entire roster.

“Pitts, London and Robinson can now be presented at the level their talent dictates.”

Sobleski also argued that the Falcons started quarterback Desmond Ridder prematurely after Marcus Mariota was ineffective during the 2022 season. He would argue the opposite, saying that former head coach Arthur Smith stuck with Mariota too long and wouldn’t have done so if the Falcons weren’t competing in the weak NFC South that season.

But regardless of whether he got more or less playing time during his time with the Falcons, Ridder wasn’t going to turn out to be a franchise quarterback. The Falcons were wise to turn to two of the best options they could find this offseason: an experienced, proven leader and a rookie with high potential for the future.

With both quarterbacks on the roster, the Falcons should be able to unleash their young offensive weapons, which they have spent valuable draft capital on in recent years to acquire.

Atlanta’s defense may not be ready to compete for the title because it still lacks a truly elite pass rusher. But that doesn’t change the obvious progress the Falcons have made on offense.