The quarterback picture in Atlanta is anything but settled as the Falcons look ahead to the 2026 season. Michael Penix Jr. is clearly the long-term plan under center, but with the rookie rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered in November, there's real uncertainty about whether he'll be ready to go Week 1. That leaves the Falcons with a decision to make-and potentially a big one.
Veteran Kirk Cousins is still on the roster, but his future in Atlanta is far from guaranteed. With a hefty contract and a front office potentially eyeing cap flexibility, Cousins could be a cap casualty in the coming weeks.
If that happens, the Falcons would need a stopgap-a quarterback who can hold down the fort until Penix is ready, and then seamlessly transition into a backup role. Enter Joe Flacco.
Yes, that Joe Flacco.
At 41 years old, Flacco isn’t the long-term answer, but he might just be the right short-term fit. His name has surfaced as a logical target for Atlanta, and it’s not hard to see why. He’s got a proven track record, a strong arm that hasn’t faded with age, and-perhaps most importantly-a connection with new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski.
Flacco and Stefanski worked together during Cleveland’s 2023 playoff push, when Flacco stepped in and delivered steady, composed quarterback play that helped guide the Browns into the postseason. That familiarity could be a major asset in Atlanta, especially if the Falcons are looking for someone who can pick up the offense quickly and provide leadership in the locker room.
Let’s be clear: Flacco isn’t going to come in and light up the stat sheet like it’s 2012. But that’s not what Atlanta would be asking of him.
They’d need him to manage the offense, make the right reads, and get the ball to their playmakers-guys like Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts (assuming Pitts is re-signed this offseason). Flacco’s ability to distribute the ball and keep the offense on schedule could be exactly what the Falcons need during the early stretch of the season.
And while Atlanta’s receiving corps doesn’t quite stack up to the league’s elite, there’s enough talent there for a veteran like Flacco to work with. London is a physical presence on the outside, Robinson is a dynamic weapon out of the backfield, and Pitts-if healthy and retained-still has the potential to be a matchup nightmare. Flacco doesn’t need to be a hero; he just needs to be a steady hand.
Financially, Flacco would almost certainly come cheaper than Cousins, which could be a deciding factor if the Falcons are looking to reallocate resources elsewhere. And based on last season’s performance, he’s still got juice.
In 13 games (10 starts) split between Cleveland and Cincinnati, Flacco threw for 2,479 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. That’s not just serviceable-it’s efficient, poised quarterback play.
So, here’s where things stand: the Falcons first need to make a call on Cousins. If they decide to part ways, Flacco becomes a very real option. He checks the boxes for what Atlanta would need in a bridge quarterback-experience, familiarity with the system, and the ability to win games without derailing the offense.
It’s not a flashy move. But it might be the right one.