Atlanta Falcons in for a rude awakening without Matt Ryan

For the first time in fourteen years, the Atlanta Falcons will start week one without Matt Ryan leading the huddle. A fact that many Atlanta fans may be failing to realize will have a huge impact on a franchise that Ryan has elevated for more than a decade.

Many of the issues Ryan has been able to cover will be on full display for a franchise that objectively failed their franchise quarterback. Fourteen years of stability at the most important position on the field resulted in a lone Super Bowl appearance that earned Atlanta more disrespect than if they stayed home that week.

The Falcons consistently failed to put a good defense with Ryan or put an offensive line in front of him capable of pass blocking consistently. Still, Ryan found a way to put a historically bad organization on his shoulders and push them to relevance.

Finding a franchise quarterback is next to an impossible task one the Falcons now have a short window to accomplish. The Carolina Panthers are a divisional example of what can happen to a team that makes poor choices at the position.

Outside of Cam Newton’s best seasons, the Panthers have consistently underachieved over the last two decades due to their struggles at the quarterback position.

The 2022 season will be a realization for the Atlanta Falcons and their fans as to how much Ryan did for this franchise and how directionless the offense will be at times without him. Trading Matt Ryan was the right move for the quarterback, however, it was poorly time and poorly executed by the Atlanta front office.

A front office that is now under immense pressure to find an answer at quarterback after trading away a veteran is now likely to lead the Colts back into the playoffs leaving Atlanta fans appreciating just what they had in Ryan and realizing how bleak this league can be without an answer at the quarterback position.