Atlanta Falcons officially in on Deshaun Watson

The Atlanta Falcons have become surprise late contenders for quarterback Deshaun Watson. This development is shocking for a number of reasons. Most notably is the fact that Matt Ryan remains under contract and would have a massive dead cap hit if released.

It is understandable that the Falcons are chasing Watson when you consider how talented the young quarterback is. Any team that lands Watson is likely to become a contender simply by acquiring the quarterback. There are, however, off the field concerns with Watson with his ongoing legal issues.

Acquiring Watson isn’t as simple as spending for a franchise quarterback you are acquiring a quarterback with baggage.

Watson to Atlanta would be a shocking off-season development for a team that seemed content to stick with stalwart Matt Ryan. Moving on from Ryan would be an odd decision though there is no denying that talent wise Watson would be a large upgrade.

Perhaps one that would give the Falcons a chance to compete with Tom Brady’s Bucs and find a way back to relevance. It is also worth noting here that the Saints and Panthers are both in on Watson and well-meaning the bidding war could easily get out of Atlanta’s comfort zone.

Watson is the top remaining quarterback on the market and the only quarterback on the market that would be an upgrade over Ryan. Though there are clear concerns with bringing a player like Watson to Atlanta it would be a move that would likely put the Falcons closer to contending.

Watson is from Georgia and that could play a role in whether or not he heavily considers Atlanta as a landing spot. With his contract, he is able to determine where he will go and which team will send compensation back to the Texans. Watson to Atlanta is a splashy headline for a team that had been very quiet early on this off-season.