NFL Exec Thinks Falcons Sign Ex Broncos, Seahawks QB Russell Wilson
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
For the Atlanta Falcons, this means a new offseason has been greeted with more rumors swirling around a long-term solution under center - and more thoughts from anonymous executive.
The latest comes via The Athletic, which surveyed six NFL general managers and executives for a mock draft of the top 10 picks.
The mock had Atlanta selecting Alabama outside linebacker Dallas Turner, spurning quarterback ... with at least one executive believing veteran help is on the way in the form of recently released Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson.
“You can’t take another offensive skill player, can you?” one of the execs said. “I don’t see a quarterback necessarily because I think they are going to sign Russell Wilson. They could go corner, too, but I’ll give them a pass rusher.”
Dec 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts following the victory against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The 35-year-old Wilson completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions across 15 games last season.
On March 4, Denver announced plans to release Wilson once the new league year starts March 13, but he's been granted permission to begin talks with any interested teams.
By parting ways with the nine-time Pro Bowler, the Broncos must pay Wilson's entire contract if he's given less than $39 million from the team that signs him.
In essence, Wilson is expected to sign for the league minimum - $915,000 - and force Denver to pay $38.085 million while helping his new team.
The Falcons have largely been linked to a pair of other quarterbacks already in the league - pending Minnesota Vikings free agent Kirk Cousins and Chicago Bears signal caller Justin Fields.
Those surveyed by The Athletic expect Atlanta to fill its vacancy under center either via trade or free agency, sticking with the theme of a veteran option.
Thus, signing Cousins or Wilson becomes a plausible alley - though one executive proposed a more youthful option.
“They are the most likely to trade to 1 and get Caleb Williams, or trade for Fields,” one anonymous general manager said.
The Bears currently own the draft's top selection and are expected to trade Fields and select Williams. Atlanta and Chicago met at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, though it's unclear how in-depth the two sides' conversation went.
Regardless, with the legal tampering period set to open March 11 before free agency begins at 4 p.m. on March 13, the Falcons' options continue to grow.
And while the name is uncertain, the avenue of which Atlanta pursues appears likely to end in a veteran signal caller.
