The Atlanta Falcons have been searching for stability under center ever since Matt Ryan left town, but as we close out 2025, that search feels more uncertain than ever. The Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke experiments didn’t pan out, and now, even with Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. on the roster, the long-term answer at quarterback still feels frustratingly out of reach.
Let’s start with what we know. Kirk Cousins is expected to be the Week 1 starter in 2026, but that’s a short-term solution at best.
At 37, with a contract situation that’s far from locked in, Cousins doesn’t represent the future in Atlanta. Meanwhile, Michael Penix Jr., once seen as a potential heir apparent, hasn’t shown the development the Falcons hoped for-and his injury history only adds to the concern.
Head coach Raheem Morris didn’t mince words when asked about the team’s offseason approach. “Everything is on the table,” he said.
And it has to be. The Falcons have built a roster that’s ready to compete-talent on both sides of the ball, young stars on the rise-but quarterback remains the missing piece.
It’s the one position holding them back from making a real run.
Which brings us to Kyler Murray.
The Arizona Cardinals are expected to move on from the former No. 1 overall pick this offseason, and the Falcons could be a real player in that conversation. Atlanta GM Terry Fontenot reportedly made a serious push to acquire Murray during the 2023 NFL Draft. Talks didn’t materialize into a deal, but the interest was real-and that matters now, with Murray potentially back on the market.
Murray’s 2025 season was, frankly, a mess. He played in just five games before a foot injury landed him on injured reserve.
And even when he was close to returning, the Cardinals opted to shut him down and roll with Jacoby Brissett instead. Brissett played well, but that doesn’t mean Murray’s days as a starting-caliber quarterback are over.
At his best, Murray is still one of the most dynamic athletes at the position. His mobility is elite, his arm strength is solid, and he brings a playmaking element that Atlanta hasn’t had since the peak of the Matt Ryan era. In Zac Robinson’s offensive system-one that values timing, movement, and rhythm-Murray could find the structure he’s lacked in Arizona.
But there are complications. A trade would likely have to include Cousins to balance the financials.
And even then, it’s a gamble. Murray has only played a full season once since 2020.
Injuries have limited him to fewer than 10 starts in two of the last three years. For a team already dealing with uncertainty at QB, adding another injury-prone player isn’t exactly a slam dunk.
Then there’s the contract. Murray is owed over $45 million per year for at least the next two seasons.
That’s a steep price for a player with durability questions-especially for a franchise that’s looking to lock in some of its young core to long-term deals. Exercising the out in Cousins’ contract would free up cap space, but tying up that flexibility in Murray would be a bold move.
Still, the Falcons can’t afford to stand pat. Penix isn’t ready.
Cousins isn’t the future. And while Murray might not be the perfect answer, his upside is undeniable.
If Atlanta wants to maximize the window it has with this roster, it needs to swing big-and Murray might just be the kind of high-risk, high-reward move that changes the trajectory of the franchise.
Whether it’s Murray or another target, one thing is clear: the Falcons are going to be aggressive this offseason. They have to be. Because with everything else in place, the quarterback question is no longer just a storyline-it’s the storyline.