Newcomer quarterback Easton Stick got the starting nod from Raheem Morris for the Atlanta Falcons' preseason opener on Friday, and may have impressed enough with his solid performance to warrant consideration for the full-time backup role. Stick, who went 15 for 18 passing the ball for 149 yards and one touchdown against the Detroit Lions, showed poise with his timing and ability to control the offense.
Continued strong performances for Stick could help secure the backup role and make the Kirk Cousins situation easier to handle moving forward. Stick has competed for the third-string role in camp with Emory Jones, who also saw action against the Lions, passing for 45 yards on four completions in five attempts.
Falcons QB Easton Stick Moving Up the Depth Chart Ahead of the Season
While Cousins is the assumed backup heading into the new season, the Falcons' front office could still move off the gunslinger, and may now have the security at the position to do so. Available destinations for Cousins could rapidly arise as the preseason continues into the second week, where more starters find themselves on the field at risk for injury. Cousins is expected to make $27.5 million this season, with a $40 million hit against the salary cap.
Stick entered the league in 2019 after being selected with the 116th overall pick in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Los Angeles Chargers following a successful college career at North Dakota State. During his time with the Chargers, Stick spent most of his six seasons on the practice squad, getting the majority of experience in the 2023 season, where he started four games for the injured Justin Herbert. Stick would throw for 1129 yards, with a 63.8 completion percentage, three touchdowns, and just one interception.
The Falcons' Friday preseason opener against the Detroit Lions was suspended following an injury suffered by Lions safety Morice Norris. Their second game of the summer will take place on Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against the Tennessee Titans.