Atlanta Falcons Former Quarterbacks: A Fan’s Guide to the QBs Who Shaped Football in Atlanta

For football fans in Atlanta, Georgia, the story of the Atlanta Falcons is, in many ways, the story of their quarterbacks. From game-changing stars like Michael Vick and Matt Ryan to short-term starters and fan favorites, Falcons QBs have defined eras, shaped memories at the Georgia Dome and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and helped build Atlanta’s modern sports identity.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting for a game, or just want to understand the team’s history, this guide walks you through the most notable former Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks, how they connect to the city, and what their legacies mean to local fans.

The Big Names: Former Falcons Quarterbacks Every Atlanta Fan Should Know

These are the quarterbacks most people in Atlanta think of when they hear “Falcons.” They each left a major mark on both the team and the city.

Michael Vick: The Electric Playmaker Who Redefined Atlanta Football

Falcons years: 2001–2006
Why he matters in Atlanta:

• Vick brought a level of excitement and national attention to Atlanta that few players ever have.
• His dual-threat style—strong arm plus elite speed—made the old Georgia Dome one of the loudest stadiums in the league.
• He helped put Atlanta football on the national map in the early 2000s.

For many Atlanta residents, memories of Vick include:

• Sunday afternoons riding MARTA to the Georgia Dome packed with No. 7 jerseys
• Backyard games around the metro where kids tried to “play like Vick”
• A feeling that the Falcons suddenly belonged in every national conversation

His career also includes serious off-field issues that deeply affected Atlanta fans and the franchise. Locally, people tend to talk about Vick’s era as:

• A time of huge excitement and promise
• A reminder of how quickly a team and city’s relationship with a star can change
• A chapter that still sparks strong opinions in Atlanta sports bars and barbershops

If you’re visiting Atlanta and talking Falcons with locals, Vick’s name will come up quickly whenever the city’s sports highs and lows are discussed.

Matt Ryan: The Steady Franchise Leader of the Modern Era

Falcons years: 2008–2021
Why he matters in Atlanta:

• Widely seen as the most accomplished quarterback in Falcons history.
• Led the Falcons through the transition from the Georgia Dome to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
• Known around Atlanta for stability, professionalism, and consistency on and off the field.

Under Matt Ryan, Atlanta fans experienced:

• Multiple playoff runs and a Super Bowl appearance
• High-powered offenses that made Falcons games must-see events on Sundays
• A feeling that the team always had a chance as long as No. 2 was under center

Locally, Ryan is often:

• Praised for the way he represented the city
• Remembered as the face of the Falcons during a period of growth in downtown Atlanta, including the opening of Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Discussed in sports radio debates about whether his number should be retired and whether he belongs in the Hall of Fame

For Atlanta residents buying their first Falcons jersey in the 2010s, Matt Ryan was often the safe, respected choice.

Steve Bartkowski: The Early Star Who Gave Atlanta a Passing Identity

Falcons years: 1975–1985
Why he matters in Atlanta:

• One of the first true franchise quarterbacks for the Falcons.
• Helped establish the team’s identity during a time when Atlanta was still growing into a major sports city.
• Remembered for his strong arm and connection with early Falcons fans who watched games at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium.

Long-time Atlantans who grew up in the 70s and 80s often describe Bartkowski as:

• The first QB who made the Falcons feel like a real contender
• A key figure in older Atlanta football culture, before the Georgia Dome and current downtown development

If you’re new to Atlanta but want to understand the team’s roots, learning Bartkowski’s name helps you connect with long-time local fans and their memories.

Other Notable Former Falcons Quarterbacks Atlanta Fans Talk About

While Vick, Ryan, and Bartkowski headline most conversations, several other former Falcons QBs still come up around Atlanta—especially in local sports bars, tailgates, and longtime fan circles.

Chris Chandler: The Super Bowl XXXIII Quarterback

Falcons years: 1997–2001

Chandler is best known in Atlanta for:

• Leading the Falcons to their first Super Bowl appearance after the 1998 season
• Being part of the team that made the phrase “Dirty Bird” famous around the city

Older Falcons fans still associate Chandler’s era with:

• The rise of the Falcons as real contenders
• The energy around Atlanta during that unexpected Super Bowl run

Chris Miller: Late 80s and Early 90s Standout

Falcons years: 1987–1993

Miller was the starter during a time when:

• The team had a growing local following but less national attention
• Fans at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium saw flashes of strong quarterback play before the explosive eras that followed

Longtime Atlantans often see Miller as part of the bridge between the early Falcons years and the more modern, high-profile eras.

“Transition” and Short-Term Starters

Falcons history includes several QBs who may not have defined an era but still ring a bell for Atlanta fans, especially those who watched during specific seasons:

• Bobby Hebert – Veteran presence in the mid-90s
• Jeff George – Big arm, memorable but brief run
• Ty Detmer, Billy Joe Tolliver, Scott Campbell – Names that come up when long-time fans reminisce about the “in-between” years
• Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich, Kurt Kittner – Familiar to fans who followed the team closely in seasons of transition

Atlanta sports radio and local fan groups sometimes revisit these names when discussing:

• How unstable QB play can impact a franchise
• How the team’s identity has changed with different personalities under center

Quick Reference: Key Former Falcons Quarterbacks

This simplified timeline helps you place each major QB in the context of Atlanta’s growth, both as a city and a sports market.

How Former Falcons Quarterbacks Shape Atlanta’s Football Culture Today

Even if they’re no longer playing, former quarterbacks still influence how Atlanta experiences football—from tailgating culture around downtown to sports talk across the metro.

Jerseys You’ll Still See Around Atlanta

When you walk around Downtown, Midtown, or tailgate lots near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, you’ll regularly see:

• Matt Ryan (No. 2) jerseys: A sign of fans who value long-term stability and respect his contributions.
• Michael Vick (No. 7) jerseys: Still extremely popular, especially among fans who grew up in the 2000s.
• Throwback Bartkowski jerseys: Less common, but proudly worn by long-time Atlantans.

This mix of jerseys reflects:

• Different eras of fandom in the city
• How each quarterback connected with a particular generation of Atlanta residents

Where Falcons QB History Comes Up Around Town

If you want to hear strong opinions on former Falcons quarterbacks in Atlanta, you’ll find them:

• At sports bars across the city, especially on Falcons game days
• On local sports radio shows, where fans debate which QB mattered most to Atlanta
• At tailgates around Home Depot Backyard near Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Common local debates include:

• Who is the best Falcons quarterback ever?
• Which QB meant more to Atlanta as a city—Vick’s energy or Ryan’s stability?
• How different the franchise’s history might look with more consistent support around certain QBs

Experiencing Falcons QB History as a Fan in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta and want to connect more deeply with the Falcons’ quarterback history, there are a few practical ways to do it.

1. Visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Game Day

Even though former QBs are no longer on the field, their stories are still part of the experience:

• Team stores often carry throwback gear, including older QB jerseys.
• The in-stadium experience sometimes highlights past franchise stars, including quarterbacks.
• Talking with season ticket holders in your section can lead to rich, detailed stories about past eras.

📍 Mercedes-Benz Stadium
1 AMB Drive NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

2. Explore Falcons Memorabilia and Local Sports Shops

Around metro Atlanta, you’ll find stores and stalls that:

• Sell throwback Falcons jerseys of Vick, Ryan, Bartkowski, and others
• Display historic photos or posters featuring old Falcons teams

These can help you visually connect names to specific eras of Falcons history.

3. Engage with Local Fan Communities

Atlanta has an active base of Falcons fans who love to talk about former quarterbacks:

• Fan meetups near downtown on game weekends
• Informal gatherings at neighborhood bars in places like Buckhead, East Atlanta, or West Midtown
• Local conversations that often tie QB history to broader memories of the city—traffic patterns on game days, MARTA trips to the Dome, and changing neighborhoods around the stadiums

Listening to long-time fans talk about Bartkowski, Miller, Chandler, Vick, and Ryan gives you a real sense of how the team’s journey lines up with Atlanta’s growth.

Why Former Falcons Quarterbacks Matter to Atlanta Today

For people in Atlanta, former Falcons quarterbacks are more than stats and names:

• They represent eras of the city—from early growth to high-flying modern offenses.
• They shaped how fans spent their Sundays, from the days of Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium to the Georgia Dome and now Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
• They continue to influence how Atlantans see their team, what they expect from new quarterbacks, and how they measure success.

Whether you’re a lifelong resident, a transplant getting to know the city, or a visitor catching a game, understanding the story of Atlanta Falcons former quarterbacks is one of the best ways to understand Atlanta’s sports identity itself.