Former NFL executive gives Kyler Murray advice to Falcons amid Michael Penix Jr. uncertainty 

New Atlanta Falcons president of football Matt Ryan, new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski and new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees all spoke highly yet carefully about injured quarterback Michael Penix Jr. before it was confirmed that the club will soon part ways with veteran Kirk Cousins.

Meanwhile, current Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is set to become available once the new league year opens this coming Wednesday afternoon. During a recent conversation with London sports outlet talkSport, former NFL executive and current analyst Marc Ross campaigned for the Falcons to sign Murray. 

Does Kyler Murray make sense for the Falcons? 

Ross argued that an offense that features dynamic running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and returning tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. could thrive with a dual-threat quarterback such as Murray playing home games inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Ross also seems to be a big fan of Stefanski, who worked with quarterbacks such as Baker Mayfield, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders while serving as head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

"That would just be the ideal situation where Kyler, whatever is going on with him -- if he can get healthy and get his mind right -- that would be a dynamic, dynamic offense," Ross added about the Falcons possibly signing Murray. 

Murray made just five starts this past season before he was shut down due to a foot issue. Back in December 2022, he suffered a knee injury that left him needing ACL surgery and meniscus repair.

Why the Falcons may want to sign Kyler Murray

Recent stories have linked Murray with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. That said, the Falcons could become a sleeper team regarding the Murray sweepstakes due to the fact that it's unknown when Penix will be cleared to resume playing after he needed surgery to repair a partially torn ACL this past fall. 

Main decision makers have yet to confirm that Penix will resume his role as the Falcons' starter once he's healthy. Ross agrees with such a handling of the situation. 

"Going into it, you really can't count on Penix because, is he going to get hurt again?" Ross added. 

Penix suffered two ACL tears before Atlanta selected him in the first round of the 2024 draft. Meanwhile, Murray will likely be a cheap lottery-ticket option for any team due to the fact that he is expected to sign a one-year deal worth $1.3M because the Cardinals owe him $38M in fully guaranteed money for the 2026 season.