Why did the Atlanta Falcons keep Jalen Mayfield?

Despite the Atlanta Falcons coaching staff preaching that spots on this roster must be earned one decision contradicted this idea. One of the more predictable and disappointing decisions the Atlanta Falcons made when finalizing their 53-man roster is keeping left guard Jalen Mayfield. Mayfield lost his starting role to Elijah Wilkinson before the team took one preseason snap. This speaks to just how in over his head Mayfield has been from the start for Atlanta.

Consistently last season Mayfield would whiff on his assignment and a play would be blown up the moment the snap hit Matt Ryan in the hands. Ryan was always in a race to see if he could get the ball off before his offensive line imploded and a lot of the blame for this belonged on the shoulders of Jalen Mayfield.

Mayfield making this roster is a contradiction of what the Falcons coaching staff has been preaching. It is the same mentality that has Deion Jones starting the season off the bench and Atlanta draft picks Frank Darby and Justin Shaffer being cut.

Why are the Falcons approaching Mayfield differently? Perhaps it is holding out hope that the guard will eventually figure it out and take a step forward or maybe a distrust in Elijah Wilkinson who doesn’t have a track record as a left guard.

Regardless of the reasoning, the Falcons made the wrong decision. Cutting Mayfield was the right move for a team that must back up its own message by cutting players who cannot perform. Mayfield had limited snaps throughout camp and the preseason and did nothing to help wipe away the disaster since last season. Jalen Mayfield making this roster when there are better options in free agency or on the waiver wire is a concern for a team who seems to be heading in the right direction.