Finding the next starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons has been a challenge not only over the last several years, but throughout much of the franchise’s history. That’s why there’s an uncomfortable familiarity surrounding the team heading into the 2026 season.
Ever since Matt Ryan — now the Falcons’ president of football — was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, Atlanta has struggled to find consistency at quarterback. The Falcons believed they addressed that in 2024 by signing veteran Kirk Cousins and drafting Michael Penix Jr. No. 8 overall in the first round.
That plan, however, has failed to deliver meaningful results. Cousins is now a candidate to be released for financial reasons, while Penix remains a question mark as a franchise quarterback — especially with him set to miss the early portion of the season while recovering from ACL surgery.
All of this leaves new head coach Kevin Stefanski with plenty to consider before Atlanta kicks off the 2026 campaign. Stefanski is no stranger to quarterback uncertainty, having navigated similar issues during his time with the Cleveland Browns.
Still, Stefanski may also be the key to stabilizing the position.
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Falcons Could Be Landing Spot for Veteran
If Cousins ultimately departs, Atlanta will almost certainly look to add another veteran quarterback to bridge the gap until Penix returns. One potential option is 41-year-old Joe Flacco.
“If the Falcons don’t retain Cousins as veteran insurance, Flacco would be the perfect alternative,” Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox wrote. “Stefanski and Flacco helped take the Browns to the playoffs in 2023, and the pair could likely get Atlanta off to a hot start if Penix isn’t ready to go when the season opens.”
That scenario assumes Flacco is interested in returning for what would be his 19th NFL season — and by his own admission, he is.
“That’s always a priority,” Flacco said, via the Associated Press. “I’m somebody who wants to play football.”
Joe Flacco’s History With Kevin Stefanski
Over the last three seasons, Flacco has appeared in 26 games, making 21 starts with an 8-13 record. Nine of those starts came under Stefanski.
Flacco authored a remarkable comeback in 2023, going 4-1 as a starter and helping lead Cleveland back to the playoffs for the first time in three years. That run ended in a 45-14 Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans.
After hitting free agency in 2024, Flacco signed with the Colts, where his results were less impressive, going 2-4. He later returned to Cleveland in 2025 and opened the season as the starter ahead of rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
If Flacco were to serve as a short-term solution in Atlanta, he would also come at a far lower cost than Cousins. Spotrac currently projects Flacco’s market value at roughly one year, $5.5 million. Even after restructuring his deal, Cousins is set to earn $12.5 million in 2026, most of which is a $10 million roster bonus.
That said, Stefanski’s history with Cousins could still factor into Atlanta’s decision-making, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
“That said, there is some merit to bringing him back,” Breer wrote. “He played well down the stretch. He also had new Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski as his position coach and then coordinator in Minnesota for two years, so he can help institute the new system with the Falcons. He, of course, would have to go along with all this, and agree to knock his total number for 2026 ($45 million) way down. He may do it if he can’t find a starting job elsewhere, since his family is now rooted in the area. We’ll see.”
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