Even with a fresh front office and new coaching staff in place, one question still hangs over the Atlanta Falcons heading into 2026: Who is going to be the starting quarterback?
On Feb. 3, Ian Cunningham was introduced as the Falcons’ new general manager alongside Matt Ryan, the team’s president of football. The two answered a number of questions about Atlanta’s future, but one response stood out — Ryan’s noncommittal answer on whether Michael Penix Jr. will be the Week 1 starter.
“Neither of us are the head coach of the football team, so we can’t answer your question on that,” Ryan said, according to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi. “I think as we start to get into this process and dive deeper into the roster — how it currently stands, where it’s going in the future — I think those are conversations that’ll be a part of it.”
Penix is currently rehabbing a torn left ACL suffered in November, and his timeline could range from nine months to a full year.
“Quarterback’s obviously very important, and we’re excited about Mike and what he’s doing with his rehab,” Ryan said. “I’ve been up at the facility the last three weeks, and Michael’s been in there attacking that and he’s in a good space right now, so we’re excited about where he is at. But certainly, a lot of discussions for us about the entire roster.”
Falcons Could Need a Kirk Cousins Replacement
Part of those roster discussions likely includes Kirk Cousins.
The 37-year-old is widely expected to be released on March 13 as Atlanta looks for financial flexibility after restructuring his contract. If Cousins is moved, though, the Falcons could find themselves in a tough spot — especially if Penix isn’t ready early in the season.
That reality makes the idea of adding another veteran quarterback a real possibility, either through free agency or a trade.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine suggested one of Atlanta’s top trade targets should be Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
“Jacoby Brissett was successful in Arizona this season, but he posted his best QBR in his one season with Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland,” Ballentine wrote. “The two could reunite and give the Falcons a relatively high floor at the position.”
Jacoby Brissett Could Be Affordable Trade Target
Brissett went 1-11 as a starter last season in Arizona, filling in for an injured Kyler Murray. He threw for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 64.9% of his passes. His 14 total appearances were his most since his 2022 season with the Cleveland Browns.
Brissett’s lone season under Stefanski in Cleveland was still viewed as one of the more efficient stretches of his career. His QBR that season was 88.9, and he threw for 2,289 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions while going 4-7 as a starter.
Ballentine didn’t mention what Atlanta might have to offer Arizona, but the contract is manageable.
Brissett signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with the Cardinals in 2025, according to Spotrac. He is set to make $4.88 million in 2026 with a $9.19 million cap hit. With Atlanta projected to have close to $28 million in cap space, the Falcons would be able to afford him without destroying their flexibility.
If Cunningham and the Falcons want a proven veteran option to steady the position while Penix continues his rehab, Brissett could be a realistic name to watch.
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