Let’s get straight to the point. The Atlanta Falcons are in dire need of a teardown and rebuild of the roster from top to bottom.
For the Atlanta Falcons fans that are in denial about this, it is time to face reality. There is no roster in the NFL heading into the 2022 season that is devoid of as much talent as this one.
Another dose of reality without sounding too harsh, it all starts at quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. Having been a lifelong, diehard Falcons fan since 1980, nobody has loved and appreciated more what Matt Ryan has done for this organization for his entire career.
The fact of the matter is that Matt Ryan will be 37 years old in May. Father time waits for nobody!
Regardless of all of his accomplishments, franchise records, his professionalism on and off the field, or the manner in which he conducts himself, it is time for a change not only at the starting quarterback but the entire roster.
The Falcons are cash strapped and in salary cap purgatory. Matt Ryan’s contract is a major contributor and factor resulting as such.
Realistically, whether or not the Falcons acquire quarterback Deshaun Watson to be the new face of the franchise and put fans in the seats at a mostly empty Mercedes Benz Stadium, they will continue to be hamstrung from a financial perspective for at least another two to three years. At this point, what’s another two to three years if us fans have waited this long for a Super Bowl trophy?
The only way the Falcons can and will win a Super Bowl is with a complete teardown and rebuild, with or without Watson under center. This has been advocated by yours truly for the past three seasons.
If the Falcons are able to pull off a trade for Watson, it means that he is fine with the fact that the team is not good now, has many holes on the roster and he wants to be here, which is close to his home where he grew up. Additionally, it forces the rebuild, which will hopefully be acknowledged and admitted to by management.
A current rebuild of the roster with Matt Ryan at the helm means that the team would be forced to draft his successor, who might or might not take them over the hump. With the addition of Watson, this would put this question to bed for at least six or seven years, possibly more.
With Watson as the starting quarterback, the Atlanta Falcons would finally have a sense of direction, as well as identity. There is also no doubt that he would sell tickets and put a lot more fans in the seats too, which is something this franchise is in dire need of.
The team needs to focus clearly on the lines on both sides of the ball in the upcoming draft, along with other gaping holes on the roster such as wide receiver. The key is to (re)build around Watson, Ryan, and/or whoever is taking snaps this upcoming season.
Management and the coaching staff should have blown things up the last offseason before Arthur Smith was hired. Better late than never, though.
Matt Ryan deserves to go to another team, compete in the playoffs, and win a Super Bowl…finally. The Falcons need all of the assets they can get and require at least seven to eight upgrades at key starting positions just to even make the playoffs, realistically.
With rumors swirling that Watson could very well choose to be traded to the Falcons, there is no doubt he would also recruit and bring productive players with him, most likely as free agents. If the Falcons retain Matt Ryan for another two to three years, this most likely will not happen.
The Atlanta Falcons need a new identity from top to bottom. They also need youth, excitement, energy, and a whole new look and feel.
General Manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith have a plan in place. There is no doubt that a teardown and rebuild is part of that plan for the next couple of seasons at least.
Whether or not they ever admit this is another story, but by trading for a talent like Watson, this would result in more of an admission than anything.