Atlanta Falcons could find themselves in a wide open 2022 NFC South

Sean Payton will no longer haunt the Atlanta Falcons and the rest of the NFC South. Payton has officially retired and stepped away from football. Tom Brady is thinking about his future and he could choose to retire as well.

If Brady were to join Payton in retirement the NFC South is suddenly open even for a rebuilding Atlanta Falcons team.  Who else in the division is going to be a true threat? The Carolina Panthers roster and future is a mess considering their inability to get their coaching or the quarterback position right.

Sam Darnold and Matt Rhule finished in the bottom of the NFC South and the addition of new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo is convincing that the bottom of the division is where they will stay.

The Atlanta Falcons could become division contenders based solely on the fact that they have a veteran quarterback in Matt Ryan

Without Sean Payton, New Orleans is likely looking at a full rebuild when you consider they have the second-worst cap situation in all of football. Their highest-paid player in 2022 will be Michael Thomas who hasn’t played football in nearly two years.

Even if they manage to retain Jameis Winston at quarterback they are going to be looking at some major regression. Without Payton, their schemes will take a step back and they will be unable to add any impact players in free agency.

Tampa is the one wildcard in this equation it is a team that will go in whichever direction Tom Brady decides. If Brady returns the Bucs remain a threat and will be at the top of the division. With the loss of Tom Brady, the Bucs will be looking at a rebuild as well and suddenly the Atlanta Falcons will have a chance to become surprise division contenders in what could be a very bad NFC South.