The Atlanta Falcons have had an active offseason so far.
They brought in Lorenzo Carter from the New York Giants on a one-year deal and also signed cornerback Casey Hayward Jr.
The Falcons also acquired quarterback Marcus Mariota on a two-year, $18.75 million deal.
But while they brought in some players, they also lost key figures from their franchise.
Russell Gage joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while Hayden Hurst signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.
As the biggest news of all, Matt Ryan will now play for the Indianapolis Colts after 14 seasons with the Falcons.
Losing the team’s cornerstone for over a decade signals a rebuilding phase for Atlanta.
However, team officials wouldn’t want to call it that way, as FOX5 Atlanta’s Kelly Price reported.
Don't call it a rebuild… But what is it exactly?
"In transition," "long-term strategy," & "take it on the chin" are terms we heard Arthur Smith & Terry Fontenot say today.
A bit scared to pose this question, but #Falcons fans, what would you realistically call this stage? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/NZPYYpztt7
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) March 23, 2022
Price said, “Don’t call it a rebuild… But what is it exactly? ‘In transition,’ ‘long-term strategy,’ & ‘take it on the chin’ are terms we heard Arthur Smith & Terry Fontenot say today. A bit scared to pose this question, but #Falcons fans, what would you realistically call this stage?”
Why do the Falcons’ head coach and general manager have to sugarcoat what they are currently experiencing?
There’s no other way to call it than a rebuild because they gave away their biggest assets.
Not A Long-Term Strategy Or Transition Phase
It’s hard to believe that the Falcons are making long-term strategies if all they can get at quarterback was Mariota.
The former Oregon standout had an opportunity to start for the Tennessee Titans but fizzled.
Instead, signing Deshaun Watson would look more like an investment for the future.
Likewise, it’s not even a transition phase because they lost the team’s leader on the field and in the locker room.
It would be better for the Falcons to call it as it is.
That way, they can have realistic expectations on how the 2022 season will unfold.
NEXT: Falcons HC Arthur Smith Refuses To Acknowledge The Rebuild
