Justin Fields appears to have a strong trade market forming ahead of the 2024 off-season. There is no shortage of quarterback-needy teams around the NFL. Some of them are guaranteed to be interested in his services. The one mentioned most often is the Atlanta Falcons. QB issues have haunted them since Matt Ryan left. While they could try to add one with their 8th overall pick, it could end up being the 4th quarterback off the board. Trading for Fields might be more economical.
He is a Georgia native, growing up watching Falcons icon Michael Vick. Atlanta has a solid offensive foundation in place with talented weapons everywhere. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson will run a similar scheme to what he played in under Luke Getsy. Lastly, former Bears GM Ryan Pace is in the Falcons' front office. He can give them all the necessary information on what to expect. Atlanta GM Terry Fontenot spoke to NFL Network on the situation.
While he wasn't able to address the Fields questions directly due to tampering concerns, he did have some interesting comments on the subject of gaining interest in a player you weren't high on in the past.
The door to Atlanta is wide open for Justin Fields.
Obviously, Fontenot didn't confirm the Falcons were interested outright. He couldn't do that without swift punishment from the NFL. That said, he did indicate a team can overcome their initial dislike of a draft prospect to embrace them a few years later. It's important to remember Fontenot didn't have Pace in his ear back then. He's also under a lot of pressure to win in 2024. Atlanta has gone 7-10 in each of their past three seasons. Their roster is too talented for such a disappointing finish at this point, and the quarterback is the primary reason.
While drafting a rookie might be preferred, a veteran gives the Falcons a better chance to win in 2024. Justin Fields is better than most of the options available on that front. The only two names that are superior are Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield. It feels unlikely the Falcons will be able to land either of them. So their best bet is either moving up in the draft for a top prospect or taking a gamble on Fields. We will likely know their decision by early March after the scouting combine.
