Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

The Bow Tie Chronicles: Falcons had a franchise-changing offseason

Falcons owner Arthur Blank's team has made many changes since last season. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)

Credit: Curtis Compton

Credit: Curtis Compton

Falcons owner Arthur Blank's team has made many changes since last season. (Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com)
By
June 22, 2022

In the 336th episode of The Bow Tie Chronicles podcast, host D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is joined by columnist Mark Bradley to look back on the Falcons’ busy offseason. After going 7-10 in the first season under the new regime led by general manager Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith, the Falcons elected to move on from quarterback Matt Ryan, dabble in free agency and possibly draft the quarterback of the future in Desmond Ridder. Oh, let’s not forget about the flirtation with Deshaun Watson and wide receiver Calvin Ridley being suspended indefinitely for gambling.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Falcons wide receiver Drake London (center) celebrates a first down during the second half against the Panthers on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. London hurt his left knee in the game. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Falcons’ Drake London is ‘doubtful’ to face Jets

Atlanta’s leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches sprained his left knee against the Panthers on Nov. 16.

Surgeon discusses what Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. faces after surgery

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has a long road to recovery from reconstructive surgery to his left knee. He’s set to have surgery in Los Angeles this week.

There’s a case for former Falcons DE John Abraham’s Hall of Fame selection

Former Falcon John Abraham hasn't advanced past the top 50 of the Hall of Fame voting yet, but he has as good a case as any to be the first Falcon since 2017 to make it.

The Latest

Falcons wide receiver Drake London (center) celebrates a first down during the second half against the Panthers on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. London hurt his left knee in the game. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Falcons’ Drake London is ‘doubtful’ to face Jets

Surgeon discusses what Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. faces after surgery

There’s a case for former Falcons DE John Abraham’s Hall of Fame selection

Featured

Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff

Atlanta antique appraiser made $20M selling fakes, lawsuit says

An Atlanta art and antique appraiser is being sued by a Florida multimillionaire, who says he spent about $20 million on thousands of fake works.

How an ex-Texan and a university helped change the face of a Georgia city

Mercer University President Bill Underwood is stepping down after two decades at the helm. He's credited with boosting enrollment, resurrecting football and reshaping Macon.

Thanksgiving to bring chilly, dry, overall delightful weather to metro Atlanta

A big drop in temperatures is coming overnight Wednesday, so go ahead and pull out those flannels and blankets.