The 2024 NFL offseason is going to be a major one for the Atlanta Falcons. They already made one major change, firing head coach Arthur Smith after three seasons on the job. He went 7-10 in each campaign, as his inability to find a reliable quarterback to lead his offense ultimately cost him his job.
Replacing Smith is the No. 1 task on the Falcons’ to-do list this offseason, but it is far from the only task. Finding a quarterback is right behind filling their head coach position as another season of Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke is not going to cut it.
Currently, in the No. 8 spot in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Falcons will have to get creative when finding a new starting quarterback. It is unlikely any of the top prospects fall to them, putting them in a tough spot.
NFL News & Rumors: Justin Fields, Kyle Pitts, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons Updates
The option to make a trade up the board to be in a position to select Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels certainly exists. That is what NFL writer Aaron Schatz of ESPN believes the Falcons will do, but not for a draft pick.
Schatz has predicted the Falcons will make a trade to fill their need at quarterback, completing a deal with the Chicago Bears. But, it won’t be for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Instead, they will look to acquire Justin Fields from Chicago, paving the way for them to select a new quarterback.
What kind of package will Atlanta put together for Fields? It won’t be draft pick-centric, as Schatz made another bold prediction, including a former first-round pick in a hypothetical trade between the franchises.
“The Falcons will use Pitts as part of a package to pry quarterback Justin Fields away from the Bears before Chicago uses the No. 1 overall pick on a new starting quarterback,” wrote Schatz.
That would certainly be a blockbuster deal. Kyle Pitts, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has not been utilized to his full potential in Atlanta with Smith as the head coach. He is a matchup nightmare at the position, possessing athleticism comparable to a WR1.
NFL News & Rumors: Justin Fields, Kyle Pitts, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons Updates
No matter who is under center for the Bears in 2024, their goal this offseason should be to continue upgrading the supporting cast around him. Bringing in a versatile weapon such as Pitts would certainly qualify, pairing him with Cole Kmet as potentially the best tight end duo in the NFL.
As for the Falcons, the ceiling of their offense would skyrocket with Fields in the mix. Acquiring a player of his skill set is likely dependent on who they hire as head coach, as an offensive-minded person could do wonders in unlocking his potential.
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