For the second time in recent week, Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot spoke about the team’s quarterback situation and stressed the importance of finding an answer this offseason.
Fontenot is now entering his fourth year as the Falcons’ general manager, so he understands that a lot is riding on solving the franchise’s problem under center going into 2024.
“Yeah, we’ve got to get it right, and that’s real clear. We haven’t shied away from that,” Fontenot said Tuesday at the Scouting Combine, via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. “We know that’s critical to get that position right, but it doesn’t stop there. We have to get the right quarterback in, and we have to improve this entire roster and get ready to roll this season.”
This past season, Atlanta rolled with Desmond Ridder at signal-caller, but he was benched in favor of Taylor Heinicke later in the year. The two players swapped places multiple times before the end of 2023, but it was apparent that neither quarterback was the long-term solution.
Fortunately for Fontenot, the Falcons will have plenty of options this offseason, whether that means signing a free agent, exploring a trade or utilizing the NFL Draft.
“Yeah, we won’t close any doors,” Fontenot said. “It can be a veteran. It can be a young player. We won’t close any doors. It’s about getting it right, whatever that is. The cool thing about this year is there are a lot of really good options in all areas. There’s good options regarding veterans, UFAs, possible trades, the draft. There’s a lot of good options. The critical part is to make sure we get it right.”
The Falcons have gone 7-10 in each of Fontenot’s first three years at the helm and have not made the playoffs since the 2017-18 campaign.
Something has to give for Atlanta in the coming weeks and months. We’ll see what Fontenot and Co. decide to do as the offseason progresses.
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