The Atlanta Falcons have arguably the deepest QB depth chart in the NFL.
Ahead of the 2024 NFL season, Raheem Morris and Co. assembled a talented trio of quarterbacks. For the first time since Matt Ryan’s departure in early 2022, the Falcons don’t have to worry about their QB play holding them back.
Over the offseason, Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins to a $180 million deal. Then, to many people’s surprise, the Falcons selected former Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. The team also has veteran Taylor Heinicke.
Following the release of the Falcons’ first depth chart for the 2024 season, Penix is listed as the backup behind Cousins, who is returning from his torn Achilles, while Heinicke is listed as No. 3.
The Falcons are hoping that the 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist won’t play much (or at all) during the regular season, as this would mean Cousins sustained an injury. However, if Cousins is sidelined at any point, Atlanta will have talented passers who are ready to step in and hold down the fort.
Let’s break down each quarterback on the Falcons’ depth chart entering the 2024 season.
Who Are the Atlanta Falcons’ Quarterbacks in 2024?
The Falcons find themselves in a good spot heading into 2024 with a deep quarterback room. While Cousins sits out in the preseason, Penix will have more opportunities to shine. Here’s a closer look at the Falcons’ five quarterbacks:
Kirk Cousins
After spending six years with the Minnesota Vikings, Cousins decided to ink a four-year contract with the Falcons that will guarantee him $90 million at signing. In addition to the big paycheck that was offered to Cousins, he predicted that Minnesota would draft a quarterback and eventually replace him.
This made things rather awkward when the Falcons drafted Penix during the 2024 NFL Draft. This was an unexpected move that reportedly left the quarterback “disappointed and shocked.”
Cousins will be under the microscope in 2024 as he makes a comeback following his torn Achilles, and there will be added pressure with a talented prospect like Penix as his backup.
In 2023, Cousins started the season on a high note before his injury. He threw for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions before he suffered his season-ending injury in Week 8.
Cousins will be the Falcons’ starting quarterback, but there’s a little more pressure on him than this time last year.
Michael Penix Jr.
Penix was among the most talked-about quarterbacks in college football last season thanks to his successful run with the Huskies under coach Kalen DeBoer.
Penix was DeBoer’s starting quarterback for all 15 games in 2023 and a crucial cog in the 14-1 run that culminated in a spot in the CFP National Championship Game, where Washington ultimately lost to Michigan.
Penix threw for 4,903 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions on the season. After being selected with the No. 8 overall pick, all eyes will be on Penix throughout training camp and the preseason to see if he can live up to the hype.
Taylor Heinicke
Similar to Cousins, Heinicke is also a former Vikings QB who has played for several other teams as well, including the Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, and New England Patriots.
Even though Heinicke has accepted Cousins’ locked-in starting position, he was retained by the Falcons so they can have a more experienced quarterback on the roster for 2024 rather than just having two rookies, Penix and John Paddock, behind Cousins.
He can also contribute behind the scenes in the QB room, which makes him more valuable than an inexperienced QB like Paddock.
John Paddock
Paddock is a former Illinois star who had a good run during the 2023 college football season. During his sixth year, he passed for 1,278 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions in just seven games.
Paddock helped the team win a crucial game against Minnesota, scoring a game-winning touchdown while completing three of three passes for 85 yards on the final drive.
SEE MORE: Atlanta Falcons Depth Chart
He later proved his mettle during a matchup against the Indiana Hoosiers, throwing for 507 yards and four touchdowns, and the game ended in a nail-biting 48-45 overtime win.
Paddock went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft and later signed a UDFA deal with the Falcons.
Nathan Rourke
The newest member of the Falcons’ QB room is Rourke, who was signed on July 28. He was previously with the New York Giants as the team’s fourth QB, but they waived him.
Rourke starred at Ohio University, leading the three to three straight bowl victories from 2017 to 2020.
Then, he shined with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League, which led to interest from numerous NFL teams. In 2022, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and then the following season, he joined the New England Patriots.
It remains to be seen how many quarterbacks the Falcons will keep on their 53-man roster.