Breaking Sean Payton gone, how does this affect the Atlanta Falcons?

The Atlanta Falcons, fresh off a weekend where they were minding their own business while the networks continued to rehash “28-3”, were just given a huge break in their division today.

Effective immediately, according to NFL senior insider Ian Rapoport, the 15-year head coach of the bitter rival New Orleans Saints, Sean Payton, has officially confirmed to the team that he will be stepping away.

Compiling a very impressive 152-89 record (.631 win percentage), Payton’s departure from the hated folks in New Orleans means that, officially, the Super Bowl XLIV tandem of him and Drew Brees are finally out of the division.

Furthermore, while the Falcons-Saints rivalry has sometimes been long overshadowed (unjustly) by the more notable historic rivalries (Green Bay-Chicago, Pittsburgh-Cincinnati), it’s hard to deny that, in this stretch of play, the games were never more competitive between not just the players, but the fans as well.

Now, this is where the main question arises.

With Sean Payton gone, and Tom Brady rumored to be next, is the NFC South the Atlanta Falcons to lose?

In short, on paper, the answer is maybe, but still leaning in the negative direction. For starters, let’s assume that this above headline is true and Brady is retiring. First off, it’s hard to find an Atlanta fan who wouldn’t give him respect for his longevity. If there is, credit there.

However, even though Brady’s had the Falcons’ number his entire career, there were a few Falcons fans that held out a sliver of hope that, even with Brees’ declining arm strength, that 2020 was the best the division ever was. Spoiler: Atlanta wet the bed, big time.

Now, assuming Brady is next, if we’re going strictly by the starting quarterbacks in the division, while he does generate a lot of polarizing discussions, Matt Ryan most likely is the best quarterback remaining in the division entering 2022.

Yes, this is a very small sample size to go off, especially considering that Ryan’s tied to Atlanta in 2022 from the financial aspect. That said, realistically, how many people would choose Kyle Trask over Ryan? How about Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill (assuming either returns to New Orleans)? And if they don’t, Trevor Siemian or Ian Book? Hard pass. Finally, there’s Carolina, who just hired BEN MCADOO to be their replacement to LSU boy Joe Brady. And who’s going to be their quarterback? Who knows at this point?

Of course, a quarterback is nothing without the play of the individuals that are tasked with protecting them. And right now, it’s hard to trust a construction worker behind Atlanta’s offensive line.

Furthermore, according to Overthecap.com, the Falcons and Saints currently are projected to enter the offseason on the negative side of the salary cap (Atlanta at $4,654,636; New Orleans $74,061,841). Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is projected to have $19,442,945 in cap space, and Carolina’s right behind them at $18,969,129. Right there, the Falcons are already in a problem because they can’t sign players in free agency without restructures/post-June 1 trades/etc., and that’s before the 2022 NFL Draft at the end of April.

In short, seeing Sean Payton gone from the Saints is a welcome treat for the Falcons. Tom Brady potentially joining him is much sweeter.