[2024] How the Atlanta Falcons shocked the SimNFL world leading up to the trade deadline

[subsequent]

The SimNFL world has been in awe. The last roughly 24 hours have seen a whirlwind of activity coming from Flowery Branch, GA for the Atlanta Falcons staff. A lot of difficult decisions and intense negotiations have resulted in an elated and extremely optimistic organization.

In an exclusive behind-the-scenes report, we followed Owner @subsequent and Head Coach @mahrowkeen as they worked together to navigate through an incredibly busy trade deadline.

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The catalyst of the day's activity actually began about a week ago when Atlanta started looking for a new QB, the Atlanta staff deciding to give Frazier a break.

The Falcons originally attempted to trade Chris Frazier and Peter Obada for Patrick Johnson and Anthony Helton, but the trade was vetoed by the SimNFL Commissioner. Discussion continued, but failed to produce any new results. Then Washington came calling.

A deal was struck with Atlanta acquiring QB Jose Padilla and WR Victor Romani in a cap-clearing move for the latter team. The pair were immediately inserted into the team for the game against the Bucs the following weekend, and it did wonders. Prior to this game, the Falcons were coming off a five game skid that included losses to two NFC South foes. The Falcons had averaged just 11 points during this stretch. The Falcons would go on to outlast the Bucs 44-37 in the best performance by an Atlanta QB ever. Padilla went 26/36 for 304 yds, 4 TD, and 0 INT. Romani also featured in the game prominently catching 5 of his 7 targets for 25 yards and the game winning touchdown with less than a minute remaining.

A few days later, with the trade deadline looming and almost 40m in cap space available to utilize, Atlanta fully bought into the win-now agenda.

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06/16 - 15:18	PIT gets the ball rolling on Sunday afternoon following the Bucs game. The Steelers owner reached out to offer OT Shawn Talley. A 2025 5th round and an additional player was discussed as apotential option as ATL were unwilling to give up their 3rd round pick here.
06/17 - 21:41	Just over a day later, Pittsburgh came back to the table with an offer to send Talley to Atlanta for a pair of 2025 5ths. The Falcons mulled over this and countered by asking for a 2025 7th along with Talley. A deal was struck in principle pending approval from the rest of the Pittsburgh backroom.
06/17 - 23:33	Two hours later, the Falcons officially announced to the other owners of their intention to shop for DEs, LBs, Ss, and TEs. Immediately, offers flew in from teams.
06/17 - 23:36	HOU initiates contact with ATL, Kiger is discussed
06/17 - 23:40	WAS offers a bunch of players to ATL, deseprate for a 2025 2nd in return
06/17 - 23:44	MIN offers DE Paul Munford to ATL, later also offers FS Wade Hires
06/17 - 23:54	ATL offers either SS Kenneth Hankins or SS Oscar Reyes to MINN
06/17 - 23:54	DEN offers FS Stephen Carder, in a deal involving SS Oscar Reyes, but there is no interest from ATL. DEN inquires about QB Chris Frazier.
06/17 - 23:59	A deal involving two earlyish picks for DE James Kiger and DE Rey Easton
06/17 - 00:00	WAS offers DE Glenn Setzer along with two 3rd round picks for a 2025 2nd, ATL considers, but decides it is too expensive
06/18 - 00:02	Baltimore offers DE Robert Jackson but ATL has no interest
06/18 - 00:06	MIN returns with proposal involving Chris Frazier and one of the two SS
06/18 - 00:35	ATL officially pulls out in bidding war for Kiger
06/18 - 00:35	ATL sends QB Chris Frazier SS Kenneth Hankins 2026 5th (from CAR)	MINN sends DE Paul Munford FS Wade Hires
06/18 - 00:37	ATL inquires BAL about OT Robert Anderson
06/18 - 00:51	ATL inquires DEN about RB David Taylor
06/18 - 00:54	Discussions for OT Robert Anderson collapses
06/18 - 01:24	HOU and ATL agree on Brumlow trade
06/18 - 01:28	ATL sends 2025 3rd	HOU sends C Todd Brumlow
06/18 - 01:30	ATL inquires BUFF about OG Morris Tye
06/18 - 09:00	ATL sends 2025 5th (from CAR) 2025 5th	PIT sends OT Shawn Talley 2025 7th
06/18 - 10:23	BUFF and ATL negotiate a pick swap and players for Tye
06/18 - 11:28	ATL sends DE Sammy Langford CB Chandler McKay 2025 6th	BUFF sends OG Morris Tye 2025 7th
06/18 - 11:51	NYJ inquire about WRs Rosario, Gervais, Romani, and a deal is discussed for DT David Digirolamo, but nothing comes of it
06/18 - 12:00	FA K Herman Vanderhorst signs with ATL
06/18 - 15:29	ATL inquires CHI about DT Ryes Dzul
06/18 - 16:18	ATL sends CB Kenneth Hobbs 2026 6th 2027 7th (WAS)	CHI sends DT Ryes Dzul 2026 6th

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Just looking at the differences in depth charts over two weeks shows how many moves the Falcons have made to improve the team in a bid to make a playoff push this season. 

In the end, the Falcons added a starter at the QB, DE, FS, C, OT, OG, and DT positions. An almost-entirely new offensive and defensive line have emerged. The new-look Falcons have signaled to the rest of the NFC that there very well could be a new contender in town.

(Credits: @Piercewise1)

Only time will tell if this gamble will pay off, however. The season is not even halfway over, so there is still a lot of football to be played. Many of the new players are also on expiring contracts, and re-signing everyone will be difficult, if not impossible given the Falcons's cap situation.

Still, Atlanta has some room, so shrewd accounting and savy trades in the offseason could make a world of difference.
 

For now, we can only sit and enjoy the ride as we watch the Falcons try to install themselves as an NFC South powerhouse.