The Falcons’ quarterback situation already feels like it’s drifting into emergency planning territory, and training camp did nothing to calm it down.
Michael Penix Jr. said he could be out for another month. Tua Tagovailoa was suddenly sidelined by an injury flare-up.
Trevor Siemian got cut and was immediately replaced by veteran journeyman Cooper Rush. And UDFA quarterback Jack Strand even took first-team reps.
That’s a lot to sort through before the real work even starts.
Atlanta still has to map out what comes next under center, but there’s another layer to this mess: the need for a reliable long-term No. 2. If the Falcons want a backup who can actually hold things together in a pinch, they may want to keep an eye on Las Vegas.
Aidan O’Connell could be available.
Once Kirk Cousins joined the Raiders alongside Fernando Mendoza, O’Connell’s place in that quarterback room started to look shaky. He doesn’t look like the present in Las Vegas, and he doesn’t look like the future either. That makes him the kind of low-cost trade target Atlanta should at least consider if its own quarterback issues keep hanging around.
O’Connell isn’t being sold as a headline-grabber. He’s not a star, and the Raiders will likely look to move him if Mendoza keeps putting together strong days at camp. But he brings something useful: 17 starts, real game experience, and a reputation as a smart, team-first quarterback who can fit into a room without causing problems.
He’s also had to adapt on the fly. Entering his fourth NFL season, O’Connell is working with his fourth different head coach and fifth different offensive play-caller.
That kind of churn can wreck a young quarterback, but it also forces him to learn fast. He’s been through enough different systems to know how to adjust.
In 21 career appearances, O’Connell has completed 62.0% of his passes for 3,932 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He’s also added two rushing touchdowns, both on sneaks. The downside is obvious: he’s not much of a runner, and he’s been sacked 35 times.
Still, as a backup, he could keep Kevin Stefanski’s offense afloat if Penix Jr. or Tagovailoa goes down. And history, unfortunately, says that kind of insurance matters. Falcons assistant defensive backs and nickel coach Ricky Manning was in Las Vegas in 2024, so he can serve as a character witness.
The price should be manageable, too. Ian Cunningham likely wouldn’t have to give up much to get O’Connell out of Las Vegas, since the Raiders don’t have much use for the former fourth-round pick from Purdue. A late Day 3 pick or a late-round pick swap would probably be enough, and that’s a deal Atlanta can afford.
Nothing has to happen right now. Penix Jr. could be back before the four weeks are up, and Tagovailoa’s flare-up could fade away. Maybe Rush still has something left in the tank.
But if the Falcons want another option for both the present and the future, O’Connell makes sense as a low-stakes swing. Atlanta could do a lot worse.
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The move comes with a cost, as the Falcons opened up a spot to make it happen and turned away from a player who had only recently been added in May. For a team trying to keep the bottom of the roster useful on game day, these are the kinds of decisions that can hint at how the staff views depth, versatility and where it wants more stability heading into the next stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Fans Never Expected Matt Ryan Back In This Conversation
Quarterback depth has become a real concern in Atlanta after injuries to Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa thinned the room down to Cooper Rush and rookie Jack Strand. In that kind of emergency, almost any familiar name can get pulled back into the conversation, even one that seemed far removed from the field and now works in the front office.
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Washington spent his first two pro seasons trying to carve out a role after Atlanta made him a sixth-round pick in 2024 out of Illinois, and he appeared in 15 games for the Falcons with seven catches for 108 yards and two starts. Now he gets another chance to stick, and the timing matters for a Panthers team that has had to shuffle its depth chart after losing Chris Brazzell and placing Dan Chisena on injured reserve. [Read more 🡒]