The Falcons got good production out of their quarterbacks during the 2019 season, with Matt Ryan and Matt Schaub combining for 5,046 yards, 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
After examining the team’s running backs, wide receivers, defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs, let’s take a look at Atlanta’s current roster and options at the quarterback position entering the 2020 offseason.
2019 Depth Chart and Results
Starter: QB Matt Ryan
408-for-616 (66.2 percent) for 4,466 yards, 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions
Primary Backup: QB Matt Schaub
50-for-67 (74.6 percent) for 580 yards, three touchdowns and one interception
QB Kurt Benkert
Zero snaps played, went on injured reserve before the season
QB Matt Simms
Zero snaps played, went on injured reserve before the season
QB Danny Etling
Zero snaps played
Current 2020 Contracts
QB Matt Ryan
4 years left at a $34.5 million average
QB Matt Schaub
1 year and $2.375 million left on a club option
QB Kurt Benkert
1 year and $510,000 left
QB Danny Etling
1 year and $510,000 left
Pending Free Agents: What Happens?
QB Matt Simms
Unrestricted Free Agent
Simms spent the whole year on the injured reserve and hasn’t shown much upside in the first place. The Falcons don’t need him on the preseason roster in 2020 barring any sort of injury. Atlanta should look to bring in some different quarterbacks during the offseason.
Possible Cuts
QB Matt Schaub
Schaub being cut would save the Falcons $2 million towards the cap in 2020. The final year of his deal is a club option. Atlanta doesn’t need a 40-year-old Schaub backing up Matt Ryan when there are better potential options out there in the draft and through free agency.
Free Agents They Could Look at
QB A.J. McCarron
A former national champion quarterback, A.J. McCarron is a talented player, but hasn’t gotten a ton of opportunity. Don’t get us wrong, he’s not some Tom Brady story. But McCarron is a guy who could provide the Falcons a talented backup that could give the team a chance to win games should Ryan be injured.
QB Mike Glennon
Glennon looks a lot like a Gumby-d version of Matt Ryan. He plays a lot like one too. Glennon is a good quarterback who could be similar to Matt Schaub in the Falcons’ offense. His experience in multiple schemes would allow the team the ability to mold him into Dirk Koetter’s scheme as a backup.
Best Draft Fits in the 2020 Draft
QB Jacob Eason (3rd-4th round)
A prototypical quarterback molded for a pro-style scheme, Jacob Eason is an intelligent, strong-armed quarterback with the perfect size to make a difference in the NFL. He doesn’t have much experience at the college level, but his talent and traits outweigh his lack of production. He could be a late-riser in the process though and might not be there in the third or later.
QB Sam Ehlinger (5th-7th round)
Sam Ehlinger is a dual-threat quarterback who would provide more mobility behind the Falcons offensive line. He’s not as cerebral as most quarterbacks, but his ability to attack defenses in multiple ways is useful.
Out-of-Box Move to Consider
Taking QB Tu’a Tagavailoa if he slips to pick No. 16
The key word here is consider. The Falcons could consider taking what looks like another franchise quarterback at pick No. 16. However, Matt Ryan isn’t going anywhere for the next five years or so. The more likely thing for Atlanta to do is take a quarterback in the mid-to-late rounds or just ignore the quarterback position in the draft completely.
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