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Falcons Named Prime Trade Partner for Star Upset With Current Team

ESPN's Dan Graziano believes the Falcons are considered a trade fit for Browns superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett.

By Jovan Alford

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot during the NFL Scouting Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot during the NFL Scouting Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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The Atlanta Falcons enter a pivotal offseason after finishing the regular season with a record 8-9. 

The Falcons have to offload veteran QB Kirk Cousins, who they thought would be their full-time after signing him to a massive four-year, $180 million deal, and have to find more playmakers on defense.

Moving off of Cousins won’t be easy as he has a $40 million cap hit in 2025 and was benched for rookie QB Michael Penix Jr., who looks to be the future franchise QB. At the same time, the defense needs multiple pass rushers after finishing 31st in sacks (31).

To solve their pass rush woes, ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes that Atlanta is considered one of the best fits for Cleveland Browns superstar defender Myles Garrett. Garrett requested a trade out of Cleveland earlier this week, which sent a seismic shock around the NFL.

Garrett, who is 29 years old, would be an outstanding acquisition for the Falcons and put them in a great position to win the NFC South.

"They have a quarterback (Michael Penix Jr.) on a rookie contract and the ability to spend big on other parts of the roster to help them accelerate their championship window, Graziano said. The Falcons seem like a team chronically in need of edge rush help, and edge rushers like this don't become available very often. Atlanta finished 31st in sacks (31) and was 30th in pressure rate (26.9%) this season."

The six-time Pro Bowl defensive end won’t become an unrestricted free agent until 2027 and has cap hits of $19.7 and $20.3 million for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. If the Falcons were to go after Garrett, it would likely cost them two first-round picks.

Atlanta could also throw in Cousins too, but it would have to happen before Mar. 12 as he has a $10 million roster bonus.

That said, Falcons GM Terry Fontenot should consider kicking the tires on Garrett as he has a bunch of guys like Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Penix on rookie deals. This is time for the Falcons to go all in on a player of Garrett’s caliber. 

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