Atlanta Falcons Surprisingly Cut Backup Quarterback

Stick had signed a one-year $1,337,500 contract with a $167,500 signing bonus and $567,000 guaranteed, per Spotrac. So the Falcons will be eating Stick’s guaranteed money in dead cap.

They’re now down to three quarterbacks. They had three last year, but they moved on from Taylor Heinicke around the same time. It’s possible that they tried to find a deal and couldn’t. 

Atlanta began their first wave of cuts on Saturday, releasing 12 players, the most notable of which was recently signed defensive lineman Morgan Fox. The Falcons kicked off cut day by releasing undrafted free agent cornerback Cobee Bryant. 

Quarterback four, Emory Jones, suffered a concussion during Atlanta’s second preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. The Falcons signed Ben DiNucci and waived Jones prior to the final preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.

DiNucci played just two drives against the Cowboys and was one of Atlanta’s preliminary roster cuts on Saturday. Now with the release of Stick, the Falcons have just two quarterbacks on their roster: Michael Penix Jr and Kirk Cousins.

Atlanta could bring back Jones to be their third and final quarterback once he is back from injury. However, Stick has outplayed Jones in both camp and during the preseason. Jones had just 65 passing yards during his two preseason games. Jones was listed behind Stick in all three of Atlanta’s preseason depth charts. It would be unusual for the team to pick Jones over Stick. 

Most likely, the Falcons will turn to other quarterbacks who were cut and are now on the market to fill their new quarterback three spot. 

Players such as Mike White, Tyler Huntley, Hendon Hooker and Kyle Trask could fit this role for Atlanta.

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