These four NFL teams have had the same quarterback for over a decade but someone new is about to take over.
Having a franchise quarterback in the NFL sets teams up for success for quite some time. The best-case scenario is that the teams can have that quarterback for the next 10+ years and not have to worry about that position, but rather be able to focus on the positions around him.
These four teams have been fortunate enough to have the same quarterback for the past 10+ years, but will likely be looking in another direction this offseason. Whether the quarterback is thinking of retirement or the team is just ready for a fresh start, they’ll be searching for a younger signal-caller for the first time in a long time.
Maybe they don’t fully move on from the quarterback in 2021, but at the very least they’ll be in the hunt for the successor this offseason. Who are the four NFL teams looking for their next franchise quarterback? Let’s take a look.
No. 4 NFL team looking for a new franchise quarterback: Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons had the No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and hit the jackpot when Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan fell to them. Sure, Ryan hasn’t won any championships in Atlanta, but he led them to the Super Bowl in the 2016 season and won the MVP that season.
There’s a reason that Ryan has been with the Falcons for as long as he has and it’s because he’s been a good player. That being said, Ryan is trending in the wrong direction and the Falcons are going to have a top 10 pick in the draft as a result. While Atlanta isn’t going to be bad enough to land Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields, as of now, they’d hold the No. 5 pick in the draft, which could get them the next best quarterback after the two main ones.
Will the Falcons spend a first-round pick on a quarterback? Honestly, it depends on how Ryan finishes out this season. He’s under contract for at least one more season so the Falcons might keep him as their starter next season and maybe take a quarterback in the second or third round to learn from him in 2021.
Atlanta might not for sure move on from Matt Ryan, but they should be in the market for a young quarterback this offseason.