The Atlanta Falcons will pass a change time.
Longtime quarterback and former league MVP Matt Ryan is now with the Indianapolis Colts.
Ryan will be replaced by Marcus Mariota, who has signed a two-year contract to become a potential starter for the team.
However, the team also drafted Desmond Reader in the third round of the 2022 draft.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Calvin Ridley will be suspended for the season due to gambling.
The Falcons resolved his absence by drafting Drake London and trading for Brian Edwards.
Therefore, they were not quiet in this offseason and took some decent steps to improve their chances.
However, their division rivals Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints are hard to beat.
Also on the list are defending Super Bowl champions Los Angeles Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers.
With a tough schedule ahead of them, it’s possible they ended their season 14 weeks earlier.
So tanking is an option that has been associated with the franchise.
Even if the cards are stacked against them, Falcons head coach Arthur Smith does not agree with that approach.
Arthur Smith is not here for tanking. Https://t.co/bpU2FxEBZI pic.twitter.com/GxzS6L2W7x
– theScore (@theScore) May 18, 2022
“It’s the most silly thing I’ve ever heard – that a team can’t win a football game,” Smith said.
Falcons need a reboot
Unfortunately, they do not have many options to revive their potential.
They could trade the likes of Cordrell Patterson, AJ Terrell, or Kyle Pitts for a preliminary pick, but in contrast to what they are creating.
Similarly, they have not had a winning season since 2017, the last time they reached the playoffs.
Smith started his tenure with a 7-10 record.
As much as they want to compete in every game, that mentality can’t get them anywhere.