3 Outside the box Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback options

3. Sam Darnold

Darnold is a player who has gotten three chances to start with two very dysfunctional organizations in the Jets and the Panthers. Darnold is the perfect option in a player that will push Desmond Ridder and be a capable starter without the fanbase clamoring for Darnold when Ridder makes his first mistake.

It is a difficult line to walk finding a player capable of starting if Ridder struggles or is injured without adding a quarterback controversy. Darnold fits that description perfectly as a player who is on the fringe of being an NFL starter or a great backup option.

Darnold has all of the skills to play the position at a high level the issue has been his inability to make the right decisions consistently. There is an argument to be made as well that had the Jets stuck with Darnold a bit longer or if Matt Rhule hadn’t been the coach in Carolina for the bulk of Darnold’s time as a starter the view on the quarterback could be completely flipped.