TheAtlanta Falcons couldn't helpbut take note this past week when the Cleveland Browns named Deshaun Watson as the starting quarterback. It is clear that no fanbase in the league has an equal level of hatred for their starter, with the vast majority embracing some level of hopefulness ahead of Week 1, no matter how well-founded. For Atlanta, this serves as a reminder that the quarterback situation could be far worse, even if things have been undeniably messy since Matt Ryan's exit.
It was the pursuit of Watson that pushed Ryan out in the first place and started the last half-decade of quarterback instability Fans can at least appreciate that they dodged having the league's worst starter on what proved to be the worst trade in NFL history. The quarterback has been unable to stay healthy and objectively awful when on the field.
Things have been so dark for Cleveland that the trio of Marcus Mariota, Kirk Cousins, and Michael Penix Jr. are an undeniable upgrade over the starter. Add in the fact that Watson is handling all of this in the worst way possible, and there is no way around the fact that the Browns did the Falcons a huge favor by saving them from a deal that would've cemented the franchise as the worst quarterbacked team in the league and left the Falcons pondering the future with Watson.
Falcons Have to Continue to Appreciate Cleveland for Saving them from Deshaun Watson
Atlanta was bidding for Watson and clearly pushed Ryan away in doing so, despite not having the roster to compete for anything of note. Rather than attempt to support the best player in franchise history in his final seasons, the Falcons opted for what they viewed as an upgrade, and would ultimately lead to the last years of frustration. As miserable as it might have been, there is no denying the Falcons were bailed out by the Browns and should continue to appreciate the favor the franchise did for Atlanta.
With this in mind, Atlanta has some room to be thankful that their quarterback situation is where it currently sits. While it is far from ideal, there is a clear path that would've led to a far more painful history and would not have given the team the wildcard that is Michael Penix Jr.
At least the franchise has this hope, as well as Jack Strand as a development project, and isn't cursed to endure another season of enduring the misery Watson inflicts.
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