The Atlanta Falcons are staring down another pivotal offseason, and once again, it all comes back to the quarterback position. Since Matt Ryan’s departure, Atlanta has cycled through options like Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke, with little to show for it. Now, even with Kirk Cousins and rookie Michael Penix Jr. on the roster, the Falcons still find themselves without a clear long-term answer under center.
Let’s start with the current state of affairs. Cousins, 37, is expected to be the Week 1 starter in 2026, but that feels more like a placeholder than a solution.
His age, combined with a contract that grows murkier by the day, makes it hard to see him as anything more than a short-term bridge. Meanwhile, Penix’s development hasn’t taken off the way the Falcons hoped.
Add in his injury history, and the concerns become even more pronounced.
Head coach Raheem Morris didn’t sugarcoat it when asked about the team’s plans: “Everything is on the table.” That’s a telling quote.
It signals that the Falcons are seriously evaluating all options, and with good reason - this roster is built to win now. The defense has taken major strides, the offensive weapons are in place, and the offensive line has shown flashes of dominance.
But without a dependable quarterback, the ceiling remains capped.
That brings us to Kyler Murray.
The former No. 1 overall pick could be on the move this offseason, and the Falcons are one of the few teams that make a lot of sense. Atlanta’s front office, led by GM Terry Fontenot, has already kicked the tires on Murray before - they reportedly came close to landing him during the 2023 NFL Draft. That deal didn’t materialize, but the interest was real, and it might be resurfacing now that Murray’s situation in Arizona has reached a breaking point.
Murray’s 2025 season was rough. He made just five starts before a foot injury landed him on injured reserve.
Even when he was nearing a return, the Cardinals opted to shut him down and roll with Jacoby Brissett, who has played well in relief. That move felt like a clear sign: Arizona is ready to move on.
So what would Murray bring to Atlanta? For starters, he’s still one of the most dynamic athletes at the position.
His mobility remains elite, and while his arm strength isn’t top-tier, it’s more than enough to operate in Zac Robinson’s offensive system. If the Falcons believe Robinson can tailor the scheme to Murray’s strengths - quick reads, designed runs, play-action movement - then this could be a fit worth exploring.
But it’s not without risk.
Murray has struggled to stay healthy, playing a full season just once since 2020. In two of the last three years, he’s made fewer than 10 starts. For a team already dealing with uncertainty at quarterback, adding another injury-prone player could feel like more of the same.
Then there’s the financial piece. Murray is under contract for over $45 million per year for at least two more seasons.
Any trade would likely require Cousins to be included to balance out the salaries, but that’s a tough pill to swallow for a quarterback who might not be the long-term guy. Especially when the Falcons are looking to free up cap space to lock in young core players to new deals.
So where does that leave Atlanta?
Murray could be a viable short-term upgrade, especially if Penix isn’t ready to take the reins. But if the Falcons are serious about building a sustainable contender, they’ll need to think younger - someone who can grow with this roster and stay on the field. Murray’s resume is impressive, but his durability and contract situation make him a gamble.
Raheem Morris said it best: “Everything is on the table.” That includes Murray, but it also means the Falcons are keeping their eyes open for a better, longer-term solution. Because right now, they’re a quarterback away from being a real threat in the NFC.