NFL 2023: Predicting the starting QB for all 32 teams pre-NFL Free Agency

NFC South 2023 quarterback predictions before NFL Free Agency

Atlanta Falcons: Justin Fields (replacing Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder)

Possible backup option: Desmond Ridder

Since we moved on from Justin Fields in the previous page, we’ve got to tell you where he’s heading, right?

In this scenario, I could see the Atlanta Falcons being a top landing spot. This would be a homecoming for Fields, a Georgia native who started off his college career with the Bulldogs before ultimately transferring to Ohio State when Georgia decided to go with Jake Fromm.

Good times, right?

The Falcons spent this past year running an offense with Marcus Mariota the primary option under center, so head coach Arthur Smith already has the infrastructure in place to have a player like Fields succeed immediately upon his arrival. This kind of trade might cost the Falcons a good amount in draft capital, but the good news for them is they would get Fields, who has already done two years taking his lumps in Chicago, learning, failing forward, and showing a lot of improvement this past year.

Atlanta has been heavily connected to Lamar Jackson in rumors this offseason and they certainly might make a bold play to go and get him. If the Ravens don’t trade Jackson, though, I think trying to pry Fields from the Bears is another really good idea from Atlanta’s perspective.

You’ve got weapons in the passing game in Kyle Pitts and Drake London. You’ve got weapons in the running game in Cordarrelle Patterson and Tyler Allgeier. You’ve got assets to spend money in free agency and upgrade the defense.

This Atlanta team could thrive with a playmaker like Fields at the QB position.