Regardless of production, Vic Beasley will not be with Atlanta Falcons in 2020

During the 2018 NFL off-season the Atlanta Falcons decided to exercise Vic Beasley’s fifth-year option. Many fans have mixed feelings about Beasley. There is no question the potential is there for Beasley, but will he ever be able to have another double-digit sack season.

In 2016, Beasley led the Atlanta Falcons and NFL in sacks with 15.5 and looked very promising heading into his third year. Since then, Beasley picked up five sacks combined during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. There several factors why Beasley fell off, but the main reason, was moving him to linebacker in 2017.

After the move to linebacker, Vic struggled and has not been the same since. Many fans thought he could break out in 2018 moving back to defensive line, however, he continued to struggle during the 2018 season.

The good news for Vic is that 2019 is going to be his prove it year as the Falcons decided not to release him and will let him play on his fifth-year option, for nearly 13 million dollars.

2019 is the most important season for Beasley in his career. If he continues to struggle, his career wont be over as he will likely sign a cheap contract with another team, however, If Beasley has a double-digit sack season he will likely sign a long-term deal. It is a high risk-high reward proposition, but one that Dan Quinn is excited about.

The problem becomes if Beasley has an incredible 2019 season as the Falcons will likely not be able to sign him. Next off-season is going to be painful for the Falcons as they have to re-sign the entire 2016 draft class.

The contracts expiring next off-season are Deion Jones, Austin Hooper, and De’Vondre Campbell as well as the fifth year option on Keanu Neal.

Paying three Pro Bowlers will not be cheap and because of that, Beasley will find himself as the odd man out in Atlanta.

Take a look around the league, this situation happens a lot. The two most recent examples are Colts TE Eric Ebron and Rams DE Dante Fowler. Ebron looked like a bust with the Lions but had a career year with the Colts. Fowler struggled with injuries when we was with the Jaguars but has been incredible for the Rams. He made the game changing play in the NFC Championship by hitting Brees when he threw it and the pass was intercepted.

Beasley will be on a new team for the 2020 season, but first let hope he can have a career year for the Falcons in 2019.