The NFL’s official start of free agency took a backseat to trade speculation in Atlanta as the Falcons became an unlikely favorite, along with the Saints, to land controversial quarterback Deshaun Watson. At the eleventh hour, the Browns, who were previously declared out of the running, swooped in and stole Watson from the two NFC South rivals.
The very idea of acquiring Watson caused a major divide among Falcons fans, and once the team failed to close the deal, even more confidence was lost in the front office.
While you can commend the the team for trying to make a bold, franchise-changing move, Atlanta had the most to lose of anyone involved in trade talks. Both the Saints and Panthers desperately needed a quarterback, and the relationship between Baker Mayfield and the Browns had already soured.
