The Atlanta Falcons are fresh off of one of their most pathetic losses in franchise history, and frankly, there isn't much we can say or do to make the wound sting any less. The 16-0 loss to the Bucs saw the Falcons fall victim to a historic loss, while a four-pick day from Michael Penix Jr. didn't help.
Just a week after the Falcons looked like they had real merit to win the NFC South, they looked like a pee-wee team in rainy Tampa Bay. Even after how horrible Penix looked, they aren't going to bench him, especially given the alternative options in Tua Tagovailoa and Andy Dalton aren't any better.
Things are rough in Atlanta, but the trade deadline is still coming. The 3-5 Falcons suddenly look more likely to be sellers than buyers at the trade deadline, and that's where things get interesting, since if Tagovailoa isn't going to see the field this season, he should be a possible trade candidate.
They signed Dalton in large part due to a lack of faith in Tua to back up Penix (and stay healthy), and it's not like it'd take a lot to get Ian Cunningham to move off of him. And now that the Baltimore Ravens' QB injuries have turned them into the QB-neediest team in the NFL, this could be an option.
The Atlanta Falcons should trade Tua Tagovailoa to the Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are in dire straits under center, as Lamar Jackson needs thumb surgery and will be placed on IR right as he returned. It's even been reported that his injury could be season ending, and if that's not bad enough, his backup, Tyler Huntley, suffered a turf toe injury in the loss to the Bills.
With them both sidelined, the only quarterback on their active roster is currently undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano, so they're almost certainly going to acquire a QB before next week's trade deadline, and frankly, Tua Tagovailoa would be one of the better options the Ravens could get at a discount.
Obviously, he's more of a quality backup than a decent starter, but desperate times call for desperate measures. The Dirty Birds have been rumored to be shopping him for a while now, and now that they have the Red Rifle to back Penix up, why not pick up an extra Day 3 pick if you can get a deal done?
Here's what we need to remember about Ian Cunningham: he and Eric DeCosta have history. During his stint in Baltimore from 2008-2016, he worked under DeCosta, so it'd be wrong to say we shouldn't look at this as an opportunity for Cunningham to move off a guy who clearly isn't working out.
Since Michael Penix Jr. is going to remain the starter at least through the rest of the season, ,even after what we saw last weekend, Atlanta has no use for Tagovailoa. He ruined any chance he has of becoming a starter here against the Ravens, and if he's about to lose the backup job, why not deal him? I'm sure the Ravens would agree he's much more trustworthy than Fagnano.
The Falcons aren't going to bring Tua Tagovailoa back this offseason and he has a very tradeable contract, so this presents an opportunity. If the Ravens are desperate enough given their QB injuries and want to think they can revive his career, why not consider dealing him away?
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