Within 24-hours two sports bombshells hit Atlanta the first is the fact that the Atlanta Braves will be without Freddie Freeman next season after putting together a blockbuster trade. The second was the news that the Atlanta Falcons were in on quarterback Deshaun Watson.
This news was troubling for a myriad of reasons including Atlanta parting ways with stalwart Matt Ryan. Ryan is still under contract and has a no-trade clause that could play into whatever moves Atlanta attempts to make at the quarterback position.
The Falcons have emerged as a sleeper team to acquire Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, league sources tell @mortreport and me. The Falcons join the Panthers, Saints and Browns as teams that have met with, or are interested in, trading for Watson. More to come on ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2022
Though one could argue if Ryan were asked to exercise the option he would surely be willing to part ways with a team that he has given everything to. Including dealing with a 2021 season where he lacked one clear consistent receiver and dealt with a terrible offensive line that allowed him to lead the league in hits taken.
The Atlanta Falcons trading for Deshaun Watson would be the wrong move for a franchise that has been unable to support Matt Ryan
Atlanta joining the chase for Watson is not a move that fans expected to hear from the franchise as free agency begins. Atlanta should be focused on fixing their offensive line, finding a pass rush, and adding receivers for Ryan not entering into a bidding war for a quarterback whose future remains uncertain.