Former Panthers and Giants OL Geoff Schwartz not in the race for the Atlanta Falcons

Although some question the potential success of Atlanta Falcons in 2024, it is essential to remember that change often brings opportunity. With significant changes to the team’s coaching staff and the addition of a seasoned veteran quarterback, the Falcons are ready to take the next step toward becoming a winning or contending team.

However, former Carolina Panthers guard and NFL media personality Geoff Schwartz doesn’t see that potential. The former Oregon Duck, known for his exceptional offensive line analysis, retired from the league after eight seasons in the NFL in 2017.

Schwartz gave his thoughts on Raheem Morris’ new team in a recent Sirius XM NFL Radio segment.

“Everybody’s going to pick them to win the NFC South this year,” Schwartz said on
Sirius XM NFL Radio. “Did we forget that Tampa Bay won the South last year? I feel like people give the division to Atlanta pretty easily without at least looking at Tampa Bay and saying, ‘This team won nine games last year and won the division and come back”. a lot of good football players.

“I feel like we give the Falcons way too much love for the division and the opponents they face. Like people are just penciling them in, maybe ‘sharpening’ them to win the NFC South . I think like it’s going to be a little harder than just giving them the Sharpie now.”

The eight-year NFL veteran has a valid point in one regard: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South in 2023. What Schwartz fails to mention is that Atlanta finished just two games behind them with poor quarterback play throughout the season, and that problem has since been addressed with the addition of Kirk Cousins.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ most significant addition this offseason is potentially a starting center. Arguably, both teams and potentially the New Orleans Saints are contenders for the division title — the South Division is wide open.

Schwartz’s tone may seem harsh to Falcon fans, but could he be the voice of reason? After all, the team hasn’t had a winning record in an NFL season since 2017, the year after appearing in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.

Skepticism may be warranted when it’s directed toward the Falcons, but like in 2016, anything is possible with a top-10 quarterback at the helm.