Are the Atlanta Falcons trying to corner the market on quarterbacks? First, they handed Kirk Cousins over $100 million in guarantees. Then, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot doubled down by drafting Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Being that the Falcons also have a veteran with 29 NFL starts to his name in Taylor Heinicke, one would think Atlanta’s quarterback depth chart is largely set. They have their 2024 starter in Cousins, their franchise QB of the future in Penix, and an accomplished backup who can not only help Cousins prepare each week, but also help get their first-round prospect up to speed in the pros.
The Falcons also added undrafted free agent John Paddock, giving Atlanta a camp arm to evaluate over the next few months. Yet, having four quarterbacks still wasn’t enough for the Falcons.
Atlanta Falcons were eyeing Nathan Rourke too
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Falcons also put in a waiver claim for former CFL star Nathan Rourke after he was released from the New England Patriots. Yet, the Falcons weren’t the only team interested in the 25-year-old.
Also putting in a waiver claim was the New York Giants, who were awarded Rourke due to having a worse record than Atlanta last season.
Still, the attempt to add Rourke is interesting. It’s possible the Falcons viewed him as a better version of Paddock, raising the level of competition for a chance to make the team as the practice squad QB or maybe pushing Heinicke for the third QB job.
Either way, the Falcons didn’t get Rourke, but that doesn’t mean they’re still hunting for another quarterback. After all, isn’t four enough?
Related: NFL QB Rankings 2024: From Patrick Mahomes to Gardner Minshew