A.J. McCarron suffered one of the more unfortunate injuries that an NFL player can suffer: a torn ACL. It was even worse because it was a non-contact injury; a seemingly ordinary handoff to Qadree Ollison turned horrible. The McCarron situation is another reminder that anything can happen on the football field. But the Atlanta Falcons still need a backup quarterback. There is still UDFA Feleipe Franks, but he has not shown that he can definitively hold down the backup position. So, to mitigate any lack of competition, the Atlanta Falcons sign notable journeyman Josh Rosen.
Atlanta Falcons Sign Quarterback Josh Allen
A Series of Unfortunate Events
If there is a dictionary definition for “wrong place, wrong time,” there should be a picture of Josh Rosen holding an Arizona Cardinals jersey in the 2018 NFL Draft. Rosen amassed 11 touchdowns to 13 interceptions with only 2,278 yards and a 3-10 record amidst a turbulent season with Arizona. A season in which both his head coach and offensive coordinator were fired. Arizona then drafted Heisman Trophy winner, Kyler Murray and Rosen was traded to the Miami Dolphins in the off-season going into the 2019 season.
This seemed like the second chance that Rosen needed. There was a new regime in Miami under Brian Flores, and they were on the lookout for a new franchise quarterback. The only problem was Miami and the nation had fallen under the spell of upcoming National Championship winning quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Miami chose to go the route of the “bridge quarterback” in Ryan Fitzpatrick and released Rosen going into the 2020 season.
He was then a part of the practice squad for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the San Francisco 49ers signed him in December. After the Niners drafted number three overall pick, Trey Lance, Rosen found himself waived again. Now the Falcons try their luck as they sign Josh Rosen.
Last Chance for Rosen?
When the news first broke, it seemed like nothing more than a little competition for Feleipe Franks. Another “camp arm”, if you will. Five organizations in four years is a serious indictment on a quarterback’s ability to play the position. More than that, this may be Rosen’s last chance to stick with an organization. But if he were to land anywhere, I guess Atlanta would be one of the better spots for Rosen. Arthur Smith revitalized Ryan Tannehill’s career, maybe he can breathe some life into Rosen’s.
Rosen won’t have much time to prepare, though. The last preseason game for the Falcons is on the 29th and he’s going to have, at most, 4 practices to get ready. That means getting the timing right with receivers, learning the basics of the playbook, etc. It’s going to be a struggle for Rosen, but he does have a genuine shot at taking a roster spot. It will take a Herculean effort against the Browns, one that the Falcons have not seen from a backup this year.
From a realistic perspective, don’t expect said effort to happen. Rosen is a pocket quarterback on a team that has struggled to keep the quarterback upright this preseason. One of the main reasons that Franks has been such a bright spot is his ability to extend the play after the play breaks down. And the plays have broken down early for both Franks and McCarron.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
