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

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins passes against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Brynn Anderson/AP)

Credit: AP

What will the retooled Falcons offense with Kirk Cousins look like?

Cousins is set to take over for the injured Michael Penix Jr. when the Falcons face the Saints Sunday at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Falcons’ Kirk Cousins returns to lineup with depleted receiving corps

Kirk Cousins is set to start at quarterback when the Falcons (3-7) play the Saints (2-8) at 4:25 p.m. Sunday in New Orleans.

Michael Penix’s season is over before Falcons know if he’s the answer

Michael Penix hasn’t proved over 12 starts that he can be a consistently good NFL starter, much less the franchise QB, and now he will have to recover from ACL surgery.

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (left) is unable to cacth the ball but the referee called pass interference on Miami Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas (right) during the second half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, October 26, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Falcons’ Kirk Cousins returns to lineup with depleted receiving corps

What will the retooled Falcons offense with Kirk Cousins look like?

Falcons’ Deablo set to return from arm injury; Bowman out with Achilles

Featured

Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

‘Worst nightmares come true.’ Atlanta confronts shift in homelessness funding.

Trump’s overhaul threatens permanent housing for an estimated 600 Atlanta households and 170,000 people nationwide, advocates warn.

Microsoft’s newest AI ‘superfactory’ opens at sprawling Fayetteville campus

One of the largest data center campuses under construction in Georgia has its first operational tenant, and it’s one of the most recognizable names in technology.

Atlanta officials quietly rebrand city’s DEI office

The city of Atlanta office overseeing diversity, equity and inclusion is getting a rebrand amid assaults at the federal level on such initiatives.