As the Kirk Cousins/Falcons staredown continues, the team has added some additional depth at the position. The Falcons announced today that they’ve signed quarterback Easton Stick.
[RELATED: Falcons Unlikely To Take Day 3 Pick For Kirk Cousins]
Stick was a fifth-round pick by the Chargers back in 2019, and he ended up sticking around through his rookie contract and a pair of one-year extensions. He barely got off the bench during his first few years as one of Justin Herbert‘s backups, with the likes of Tyrod Taylor and Chase Daniel getting any leftover reps.
Stick finally got a shot to show his stuff during the 2023 campaign, when he got four starts filling in for Herbert. He showed some signs of being a capable fill-in during his brief stint as the QB1. In those four contests, Stick completed 65.3 percent of his passes, tossed three touchdowns vs. one interception, and added 144 rushing yards. On the flip side, the Chargers were winless in those four games, and Stick also lost three fumbles.
In Atlanta, Stick should have a secured roster spot, but his standing on the depth chart will continue to be in flux. Right now, he’s the QB3 behind Michael Penix Jr. and Cousins, who is pushing for an exit out of Atlanta. If the Cousins/Falcons divorce comes to fruition, then Stick could step up as the main backup to Penix. Emory Jones is also on the roster as some additional depth.
We heard just the other day that the organization was expected to add a veteran backup passer in the coming months. It’s uncertain if Stick would qualify as a “veteran” option for the organization, but he fits the bill as a potential QB2.
Is his middle name “Yellow Synergy”?
That GM…
Falcons should put this up on the table.
– 2025 1st
– 2026 first
– A couple of other picks as needed. Note that I would expect more than 2 firsts just to move up to get Carter, but the pick they might have gotten back for Cousins coould offset a little … more below
– Kirk Cousins + Money depending on how many picks given up.
All going to Cleveland in exchange for #2. Pick Carter and don’t stress about what you gave up.
Falcons need to fix this pass rush right now. It is crippling the entire defensive effort. DB’s are solid if they didn’t have to cover for 5 seconds every play. LB’s would not have to be used for blitzing as often and thus would be able ot prevent the scrambles and short over the middle looks that have kept the Falcons from getting stops on third downs. Do WHATEVER it takes to get it done. If you can’t move Cousins, then so be it, but the money saved by Carter on a rookie deal will offset that for next couple of years anyway.
Falcons must get bold and get this done.
Falcons won’t fix the defense. Their destiny is mediocrity.
@uga Steve. 17 to number 2 is a big leap. Probably makes more sense to beef up the defensive tackles, and hope it generates more pressure. That would probably require 4 1st rounds, plus don’t think the browns want another bad qb contract unless they send Watson to Atlanta. Just seems unlikely since Carter is technically the #1 on everyone’s board.
Agree it’s a big jump, but they can compete now and need a real QB. Not saying Cousins is great, but the reality is he might be enough to get them into the playoffs.
As far as the contract, I stated openly the Falcons eat some of it. It could be done.
As far as DL’s, the Falcons want to play a base 3-4. They used their second and fourth rounders to draft DT’s last year (Orhorhoro and Dorlus), though most web sites seem to have forgottern about them. They also have Onyemata as a capable vet (who outgraded Jarrett easily last year). They do not need DT’s anywhere near as badly as DE’s. They have drafted Trice, Harrison, and Ebiketie as potential DE’s in recent years, but none of them really project to anything more than rotational depth at this point.
If the Browns are considering moving out of the spot the Falcons could give up their entire draft plus next years first to get Carter and it would still be of value. My statement stands, if they want him, they need to pull the trigger. He is instantly their #1 DE, affordable, and will make every player on that defense look much better. He isn’t as needed for that in Cleveland, so they should try to maximize the return and fill other holes.
@uga Steve. Yeah I read what you said but why would the browns take on cousins, and lose one of the can’t miss prospects in this draft. They’re not going to spend 80 million on qb, not sure if they even can. You grab Carter and get a qb next year. It’s dumb for both sides
Hey, a nice ndsu signing