Skip to main content
Advertising

The Falcons claim QB Matt Barkley off waivers

Atlanta was in need of quarterback depth with Feleipe Franks on the reserve/COVID-19 list

A general view of the Atlanta Falcons throwback helmets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 26, 2021. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)
A general view of the Atlanta Falcons throwback helmets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, December 26, 2021. (Photo by Mitchell Martin/Atlanta Falcons)

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Falcons have added some depth to their quarterback room by claiming Matt Barkley off of waivers on Wednesday afternoon.

This move comes just 24 hours after the Falcons placed Feleipe Franks on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday. The Falcons currently have 12 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list as of 4 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon. Franks has played the backup quarterback role on game days throughout the last three weeks, with the Falcons choosing to keep Josh Rosen inactive.

RELATED CONTENT:

Barkley - a graduate of USC - comes to the Falcons from the Carolina Panthers. He was signed to the Panthers practice squad in early November. After being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2013 Draft, Barkley spent time with the Cardinals, 49ers, Bengals, Bills and Titans. His most notable year came with the Chicago Bears in 2016, when he made six starts.

He ended the 2016 season with eight touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Also of note: Of his 216 pass attempts, 89 went for a first down. That 41.2 percent was the second-highest percentage in the NFL behind none other than Matt Ryan.

Barkley will find himself in a position room with Ryan as he comes to the Falcons to provide depth behind Ryan and Rosen.

af_23_web_final-whistle__1500

Falcons Final Whistle | A Postgame Podcast

Break down the hottest topics surrounding the Atlanta Falcons and how they can impact the team's success with Falcons Insiders Will McFadden, Tori McElhaney and Terrin Waack. Like and subscribe to join us for the lively debate on Falcons Final Whistle.

Welcome to Falcons Final Whistle – an Atlanta Falcons football postgame podcast during the season that shifts gears in the offseason to answer a pressing question about the team's future each week through free agency, the NFL Draft and the offseason program.

Related Content

Advertising