Falcons Sign QB Easton Stick
The Atlanta Falcons have added another name to their quarterback room. On April 21, they signed Easton Stick, a former Los Angeles Chargers backup who brings some starting experience and a steady hand to a team that has seen a bit of uncertainty under center. With Michael Penix Jr., Kirk Cousins and Emory Jones already in the mix, the Falcons are clearly preparing for any situation that might come their way this season.
Stick Is Not New to the League
Easton Stick has been around the NFL for a while now. He was drafted by the Chargers back in 2019, taken in the fifth round after a solid college career at North Dakota State. He spent most of his time in Los Angeles as a backup. For years, he sat behind Justin Herbert, not getting many chances to show what he could do. That changed in 2023 when Herbert got hurt.
Stick stepped in and started four games that season. He ended up playing in five total. During that stretch, he completed 63.8% of his passes, throwing for 1,129 yards. He had three touchdown passes and only one interception. Those numbers are not flashy, but they show he played smart football and avoided major mistakes. He also added 144 rushing yards and scored once on the ground. It was not a breakout year by any means, but he showed he can be trusted in a tough spot. However, it should be noted that the Chargers went winless with him under center.
What made Stick stand out in college was his ability to win. He went 49–3 as a starter at North Dakota State, the most wins for a quarterback in FCS history. That kind of success does not guarantee NFL stardom, but it says something about his ability to lead a team and get results.
What Does This Mean for the Falcons?
Atlanta now has four quarterbacks on the roster, which might seem like a lot. But with how unpredictable football can be, having that kind of depth might come in handy. Penix Jr. is expected to be the starter going forward, especially after the team made the choice to bench Cousins last season. Cousins is still on the roster, but with his no-trade clause and the team’s clear shift toward youth, his future is not so certain.
Jones is another young guy trying to develop. Stick does not really fit the mold of a long-term project or a flashy backup. He is more of a safe pair of hands. He is someone who knows how to be ready without needing all the attention. The Falcons may want someone like that in case of injury or if they move on from Cousins. It would make sense to have a guy like Stick who can step in without the team having to shift everything around him.
Offseason programs are just starting up. Training camp and preseason will bring more clarity, but for now, Stick gives them more flexibility. Whether he ends up being the backup, third-string, or even just a training camp arm, he is a low-risk addition with real game experience.
A Smart Move, Even If It Is a Quiet One
This move is not going to grab major headlines, and that is fine. Stick is not coming in to take over the offense or start a quarterback controversy. He is here to give the team more options and provide stability in a position that is often anything but stable. His time in Los Angeles proved he can be ready when called on, and that is exactly what teams want in a backup.
For the Falcons, bringing him in makes sense. If Penix gets hurt or Cousins ends up being traded or cut, Stick can slide in and keep things steady. Sometimes the smartest moves are the ones that do not look big when they happen. This might be one of those.
