Franchise Tagged Lamar Jackson Not on Atlanta Falcons Radar
The Atlanta Falcons will not pursue the services of the talented Lamar Jackson, despite being one of the best quarterbacks available on the free-agent market. The reason behind this decision is due to salary cap ramifications, which could potentially impede the team’s ability to build a strong roster.
Desmond Ridder to Lead as Starting Quarterback
Unproven Desmond Ridder will now lead the Falson’s as their starting quarterback, after Hoodie was traded to the Tennessee Titans. While he has yet to prove himself in the NFL, Ridder showed promise during his college career at Cincinnati.
The Need for Roster Building and Draft Pick Development
The Falcons have over $21 million in cap space but have decided against pursuing costly free agents such as Lamar Jackson. Instead, they plan to focus on draft picks and player development in order to accumulate young talent and strengthen their roster for long-term success.
Owner’s Point of View
Falcons owner Arthur Blank has reiterated that the team is committed to building a strong roster that can compete effectively in the league, while also providing for long-term sustainability. He believes that not signing Lamar Jackson is necessary in achieving this goal.
“When you have a potential cornerstone player like Lamar Jackson seeking a guaranteed contract like Deshaun Watson, this will tie up a significant amount of cap space,” said Blank. “We could have pursued him but we decided it was important for us to continue building our roster economically.”
Costly Mistake or Good Strategy?
However, not pursuing Lamar Jackson could ultimately prove to be a costly mistake if Desmond Ridder does not pan out. Quarterbacks are essential in winning games in today’s NFL, and with Julio Jones potentially leaving the team, they will need all the help they can get.
In the end, the Falcons have chosen to focus on building through the draft and developing young talent. While this may not provide immediate satisfaction, it will pay dividends in years to come.
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