The Atlanta Falcons – and their followers – are about to get an intimate have a look at what might need been.
Sunday afternoon, Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields – he is from suburban Atlanta, grew up a Falcons fan and commenced his school profession on the College of Georgia – will take the sector at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It may have been a weekly prevalence … had the Falcons taken Fields, whose household had season tickets, with the fourth general decide of the 2021 NFL draft.
Alas, they selected tight finish Kyle Pitts as a substitute. And right here we’re.
Fields has begun to emerge because the crown jewel of what was a extremely regarded 2021 quarterback crop – headlined by Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence going into the draft – and is already etching his identify into the report guide. The Bears simply turned the primary crew in league historical past to hurry for a minimum of 225 yards in 5 consecutive video games. Fields has 555 yards on the bottom throughout this stretch, 82 greater than some other quarterback over a five-game interval within the Tremendous Bowl period (since 1966). In that very same span, he is thrown for 810 yards, 9 touchdowns, three interceptions and has a 96.3 passer ranking.
Think about how that may translate to what’s at present a run-heavy Atlanta assault that does not appear to know what to do with Pitts, the highest-drafted tight finish in league historical past.
And picture how Fields might need electrified this fan base. Matt Ryan was good for 14 seasons, the 2016 league MVP almost main the Falcons to their first Tremendous Bowl win. However he by no means really crammed the civic void created after Michael Vick’s disgraceful departure following the 2006 season.
Fields may have … even when he is simply making an attempt to maintain the principle factor the principle factor this week.
“It is thrilling for certain,” he mentioned of his impending homecoming. “My aim actually is simply to go 1-0 this week and win the sport down there.”
In equity to the Falcons, Ryan was coming off a stable 2020 season … regardless that he was 36 by the point Fields’ rookie 12 months commenced. Ryan additionally had a just about untradeable contract in 2021 – his transfer to the Indianapolis Colts this 12 months brought about a report lifeless cash hit to Atlanta’s cap – although his deal would not have prohibited him from taking part in and showcasing himself (as he primarily did for Indy) whereas permitting Fields a season-long apprenticeship.
“You possibly can go down that rabbit gap loads of other ways,” Atlanta coach Arthur Smith mentioned this week.
In additional equity to the Falcons, the Jacksonville Jaguars (Lawrence), New York Jets (Zach Wilson) and San Francisco 49ers (Trey Lance) might have additionally goofed given all of them handed on Fields for different quarterbacks within the 2021 draft.
However in equity to the Falcons’ followers, the crew squandered a golden alternative to create an ideal post-Ryan succession plan. As a substitute, they started courting Deshaun Watson following the 2021 marketing campaign – a failed gambit that additionally led to Ryan’s commerce to the Colts – which left Atlanta scrambling to fill its depth chart with veteran Marcus Mariota and third-rounder Desmond Ridder, who has but to play for the 4-6 crew.
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How’s it going? Atlanta has most likely been higher than anticipated general, remaining on the perimeter of the NFC wild-card chase. However on the Falcons’ final significant drive of Week 10’s 25-15 loss to the Carolina Panthers, they misplaced 15 yards on 4 performs. Mariota, among the many league’s least prolific passers, was sacked twice. Pitts could not contribute.
It’s important to surprise concerning the quarterback not taken.
Already a highschool legend within the Peach State, Fields might not fairly be the electrical athlete Vick was – who’s? – however he appears to be on his approach to being a much more polished passer and, by extension, a extra harmful quarterback than No. 7. However, man, can Fields run – averaging 7.2 yards per carry this season, two of his six TD runs overlaying greater than 60 yards.
“All people is raving about what this younger man has achieved during the last three or 4 weeks. And the most important half is clearly the playmaking – when issues are breaking down, his means to create along with his legs,” mentioned NFL Community analyst and two-time league MVP Kurt Warner, who praised the Bears for modifying their offense to accommodate extra run choices for Fields – a improvement that additionally opens up passing lanes.
“(He is) nonetheless acquired room to develop as a pocket passer, however I like the way in which that they’ve employed their offense the previous few weeks.”
Chicago’s new regime, which is not the one which moved up within the draft to pick Fields eleventh general final 12 months, additionally appears to be shopping for in. Rookie GM Ryan Poles did not do a lot in free company and invested most of his excessive 2022 draft picks into the protection. Nonetheless he did purchase receiver Chase Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers on the commerce deadline, and the Bears are projected – by far – to have probably the most wage cap area when free company arrives in 2023.
“Whenever you’re taking a look at several types of locations to go, you’re taking spots for that purpose,” rookie head coach Matt Eberflus mentioned this week when speaking about his resolution to come back to Chicago. “The No. 1 spot you have a look at is quarterback. You examine and have a look at that and I beloved what I noticed.
“I’m loving what I’m seeing much more since I’ve been right here.”
Falcons followers might quickly really feel equally to Eberflus … if just for three fleeting hours this weekend.
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Comply with USA TODAY Sports activities’ Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Bears QB Justin Fields has chance to show Falcons what could have been
