The Falcons are still hunting for a real answer at quarterback, and that search could wind up circling back to a familiar face in the NFC South.
For now, Atlanta’s latest plan appears to be a showdown between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. Tagovailoa is the early favorite to come out on top, but the bigger picture hasn’t changed much: there’s plenty of reason to wonder whether the Falcons will be back in the market again after the 2026 season.
That’s where Baker Mayfield enters the conversation.
Mayfield’s contract talks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have stalled, and he made it clear he isn’t thrilled about how things have gone. “I’m at a point in my career and understanding what I’ve brought to this franchise… leadership-wise and even play-wise it’s been some of the best years of my career and I think it’s only going to trend upwards… Disappointing in that regard to feel disrespected a little bit. That’s really the disappointing part, to feel undervalued after thinking you’ve earned it”
At the moment, Mayfield would be headed for free agency after the season. If Tampa Bay doesn’t make a major move on the contract front, there’s at least a path where the Buccaneers don’t push talks forward or use the franchise tag on him either.
If that happens, Atlanta would be sitting there as a real possibility, assuming the Falcons want in.
There’s an obvious link already in place: Kevin Stefanski. Mayfield played for Stefanski with the Cleveland Browns in 2020 and 2021, and during that stretch he went 17-13 with 43 passing touchdowns and a passer rating of 90. Even after Mayfield’s messy exit from Cleveland, he downplayed any hard feelings earlier this offseason: “There’s stuff there, but it’s not like it’s beef.”
Mayfield’s situation also makes a Falcons move look more believable on paper. A signing in Atlanta would keep him in the NFC South and in a similar geographic spot, while also giving him what would be the best personnel setup of his NFL career. And with the way he feels about Tampa Bay, it would carry a bit of a message too.
On top of all that, Mayfield has been exactly the kind of steady quarterback Atlanta has lacked since the peak Matt Ryan years. He hasn’t missed a start in the last three seasons, has won 27 of his 51 starts over that span, and owns a 97.4 passer rating since the start of 2023.
He’s not in the top tier of NFL quarterbacks, but he has shown he can help a team win - and at times, win because of him. In 2024, Mayfield threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdown passes.
The 2026 season is still ahead, but the Falcons’ quarterback picture is already murky enough to keep this idea alive. If Tampa Bay eventually lets Mayfield walk, Atlanta could be one of the cleanest landing spots on the board.
In Other News...
Falcons Just Raised The Stakes On Bijan Robinsons Next Deal
The Falcons have been busy locking down the offensive line, and their latest move only adds another layer to the long-term picture around Bijan Robinson. Atlanta is trying to keep its core intact around a young offense, and securing protection up front is part of that plan. For Robinson, who still has two years left on his rookie deal, every major contract the team hands out helps shape the floor for what comes next.
Matthew Bergerons extension also says plenty about how Atlanta values the interior of the line and the players who make the run game work. The Falcons have already shown they are willing to invest heavily in the trench, which is why Robinsons next deal now feels like a much bigger conversation than it did a week ago. The timing does not force an answer yet, but it certainly raises the price of waiting. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Camp Suddenly Has One Issue Fans Can't Ignore
The Falcons fourth day of 2026 training camp drew a full crowd, and there was plenty on the field for fans to watch. Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa took part in position drills, while the rest of the roster kept pushing through a busy session filled with competition for jobs, special teams work from punter Jake Bailey and cornerback Cobee Bryant, and a defense that kept showing up around the ball.
What fans could not ignore, though, was the situation with Bijan Robinson. The running back remained away from full participation while waiting on a new contract, adding a different kind of tension to a camp that otherwise had a steady practice buzz. On the field, Brandon Dorlus and DaShawn Hand helped keep the defensive pressure up with their own standout moments, but Robinsons status is the issue hovering over everything as camp continues. [Read more 🡒]