The Atlanta Falcons turned over a new leaf this offseason. After Michael Penix Jr. went down with an injury last season, they rode it out with Kirk Cousins at quarterback. But with a long recovery timeline for the former first-round pick, they went in a different direction this summer.
After hiring Kevin Stefanski as head coach, the Falcons also signed Tua Tagovailoa in free agency. However, many believe they need to make another move to set things right, with one unproven name near the top of a few former players’ lists.
Falcons Need To Roll the Dice at Quarterback
Last season, playing in 14 games, Tagovailoa threw for 2,660 yards and 20 touchdowns while giving up 15 interceptions. As a result, he ranked 28th in PFN’s QB Impact Metrics, but hope remained that a new system could allow him to regain his form.
However, clips from training camp, particularly from the Falcons’ joint practice against the Indianapolis Colts, haven’t inspired much confidence, which led to fans urging Atlanta to explore other options.
Some members of the fan base were even willing to turn to rookie Jack Strand after he threw for 212 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing score against the Colts in the second week of the preseason
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However, Chase Daniel, who spent more than a decade in the league as a backup quarterback, believes a better choice for the Falcons is Dallas Cowboys backup, Joe Milton.
“Joe Milton is a much better option,” he argued. As a backup on the New Orleans Saints roster that won Super Bowl 44, Daniel clearly has an eye for talent in the depth chart. But Milton has already put together some spectacular performances on tape.
Against the Buffalo Bills in the final game of the season in 2024, he went 22-of-29 on passing attempts for 241 yards and accounted for two touchdowns. Traded to the Cowboys last summer, he hasn’t gotten a ton of burn for them.
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But in Week 2 of preseason, he once again showcased his tremendous upside. Completing 9 of 13 passes, he averaged nearly 14 yards per attempt, recording 179 yards and two touchdowns, while adding another touchdown on the ground.
Nicholas Williams, who was a journeyman in the NFL after being drafted in the seventh round of the 2013 draft, had similarly high praise for Milton. Comparing Milton to former MVP Cam Newton, he saw tremendous upside after going against him personally.
“Just had a joint practice against Joe Milton. Bro is built like Cam Newton and has a cannon for an arm.” It remains to be seen if the Falcons pull the trigger on an explosive move like this.
Just had a joint practice against Joe Milton. Bro is built like Cam Newton and has a cannon for an arm.
— Nicholas Williams (@NickWilliams_98) August 23, 2026
But for a roster that already supports the likes of Bijan Robinson and Drake London, a potentially explosive quarterback like Milton could take them over the hump.
