The Atlanta Falcons are entering yet another season of instability at the quarterback position. It is impossible to defend the level of poor decision-making that has happened since Matt Ryan was pushed out the back door at the end of the 2021 season. It has led to a frustrating mix of Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke, Kirk Cousins, and Michael Penix Jr. starting over the last four years.
While there is still a small level of hope for Penix, the franchise brought in veteran Tua Tagovailoa after the Miami Dolphins gave up on the quarterback. With this in mind, it isn't unrealistic to point to next offseason as yet another year that the Falcons could be seeking a new starter. This leads us to the Bengals and Joe Burrow, who has been consistently ravaged by injuries and supported with a poor cast.
The star quarterback is on a five-year $275 million extension that leaves his future very clear. However, it would be far from the first time we've seen a star player unhappy with a losing organization opt to demand a trade and open the door for the Falcons to find a potential surprise answer.
Atlanta has every reason to keep a close eye on the Bengals, with another year of missing the playoffs opening an obvious door. While fans have been through this exercise in the past with Lamar Jackson, it seems far more plausible that the organization that is the Bengals would push themselves into a position where this is possible.
Falcons Should Keep a Close Eye on Joe Burrow During Pivotal 2026 Season
Burrow demanding a trade is a clear possibility if the Bengals were to miss the playoffs in yet another season. It has been a familiar refrain of Burrow taking punishment behind a bad offensive line while an underwhelming defense plays the franchise out of a playoff spot and leaves all of the pressure firmly on the shoulders of Burrow.
It leaves the Falcons a potential avenue to find a stabilizing answer that would easily make Atlanta NFC South favorites and put the franchise back into the playoff conversation. As the franchise enters yet another season without any clarity or stability at the most important position, it is at least worth keeping an eye on as a potential subplot.
Tagovailoa has a chance to upset this narrative, with the Falcons clearly giving the veteran an avenue to win the job in hopes of the failed first-rounder becoming the league's latest comeback story. An unlikely bet that leaves every reason to pay attention to Burrow, wondering if the Bengals starter could find his way to Atlanta.
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