The Atlanta Falcons Are Already Getting Tanking Accusations, and Their QB Situation Is the Smoking Gun

We're not even out of May and the tanking accusations are already flying in the NFL. The same mess that plagued the NBA last season is creeping into football months before the 2026 campaign even kicks off, and the Atlanta Falcons just landed themselves in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox dropped a piece Monday identifying the Falcons as one of the NFL teams "most likely to tank" ahead of the 2027 draft. Now, Knox was quick to clarify that Atlanta isn't intentionally trying to lose. They're not. But here's the thing: their quarterback situation is so uncertain that they might end up at the bottom of the standings anyway, which could land them a top pick without even trying.

The QB Problem That Could Sink Atlanta

The Falcons finished 8-9 last season, the same record as the Carolina Panthers, who won the NFC South. That tells you everything about how tight things are in that division. But when you look at who's throwing the football in Atlanta, the picture gets bleak fast.

Kirk Cousins? Gone to the Raiders. Tua Tagovailoa? He hasn't played well since the 2023 season. Michael Penix Jr., a 2024 first-round pick? He's coming off a torn ACL. That's your quarterback depth chart, and it's rough.

The Path to a Top Pick Is Paved With Uncertainty

Knox laid it out clearly: "If the Falcons can get above-average quarterback play, they're more likely to be in the playoff mix than the race for a top draft choice." The problem is they might not get that reliable QB play. Add in the constant coaching changes, and you've got a recipe for a long season in 2026.

If Kevin Stefanski's team does tank its way to the bottom, Knox mentioned names like USC's Jayden Maiava, Notre Dame's C.J. Carr, and LaNorris Sellers as potential targets in the 2027 draft. The tanking class is stacked, and the Falcons could very well be in position to land a franchise quarterback.

The Jets, Cardinals, and Dolphins are still the biggest tanking candidates, but Atlanta just inserted themselves into the conversation. This is going to be a storyline to watch all season long.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.