The Falcons are learning valuable lessons but not through the easy way. Only two years ago, the Falcons turned down trade offers for struggling first-round pass rusher Vic Beasley despite his lack of performance and the playoff opportunity almost non-existent. The Falcons shocked many by then retaining Beasley under the fifth-year option. The results were predictable, with the Falcons then trying and failing to trade Beasley under his prohibitively-expensive contract.
In an almost unprecedented move, the Falcons announced they would not bring back Beasley.
Takkarist McKinley, most popular among the Falcons fanbase for not being TJ Watt, has struggled for reasons completely different than Beasley.