Brett Favre and the Atlanta Falcons: What Really Happened and Why It Still Matters in Atlanta

When people in Atlanta search for “Brett Favre Atlanta Falcons,” they’re usually trying to understand one thing:

How did Brett Favre ever end up with the Falcons, and why did he leave so fast?

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or you’re just a Falcons fan trying to make sense of one of the most famous “what if?” stories in NFL history, this guide walks you through the full picture—locally focused, easy to follow, and grounded in what it means for Atlanta football culture today.

How Brett Favre Became an Atlanta Falcon

Drafted by Atlanta in 1991

Before Brett Favre was a star in Green Bay, he was actually a second-round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons.

• Draft year: 1991 NFL Draft
• Team: Atlanta Falcons
• Round/Pick: 2nd round, 33rd overall
• College: University of Southern Mississippi

At the time, the Falcons were in a very different era—flashy, high-energy, and led by head coach Jerry Glanville, known for his aggressive style and big personality. Atlanta fans at the old Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium were used to entertainment as much as football, and the team leaned heavily into that identity.

Favre arrived as a talented but unpolished quarterback, known for a strong arm, a gunslinger mentality, and some questions about decision-making.

Limited Playing Time in Atlanta

Favre’s actual time on the field for the Falcons was minimal:

• He played in only two games during the 1991 season.
• He attempted four passes and completed none.
• One of those passes famously turned into a pick-six (an interception returned for a touchdown).

Glanville was reportedly never fully sold on Favre as his quarterback and preferred the more established starter, Chris Miller, at the time. For local Falcons fans who were around then, Favre was more of a curiosity than a central figure.

Why the Falcons Traded Brett Favre

The Trade to Green Bay

In early 1992, after just one season in Atlanta, the Falcons traded Brett Favre to the Green Bay Packers.

• Trade details:
  • Falcons sent Brett Favre to the Packers
  • Packers sent a first-round pick in return

From a front-office perspective, Atlanta essentially turned a second-round pick into a first-rounder, which on paper looked like a solid move—especially since Favre hadn’t shown much during his rookie season.

Why Did Atlanta Give Up on Favre So Quickly?

For fans in Atlanta wondering how this happened, several key factors are often discussed:

• Coaching fit:
  Jerry Glanville reportedly didn’t fully trust Favre’s style or consistency. His offense and philosophy weren’t built around developing a raw, young quarterback.

• On-field readiness:
  Favre was talented but raw. In limited action, he didn’t immediately show the kind of promise that would force coaches to change their plans.

• Existing starter:
  The Falcons already had Chris Miller, a Pro Bowl quarterback, so there wasn’t much urgency to hand the job to a second-round rookie.

• Front office strategy:
  A first-round pick in return for a backup quarterback who barely played looked like strong value at the time.

In Atlanta, the trade did not initially cause an uproar. Only later, when Favre became a superstar in Green Bay, did it turn into one of the most second-guessed trades in franchise history.

What Brett Favre Became After Leaving Atlanta

A Hall of Fame Career… Somewhere Else

Once he arrived in Green Bay, Favre’s career transformed:

• Became the starting quarterback for the Packers in 1992
• Led Green Bay to multiple playoff runs and a Super Bowl title
• Became known for:
  • His ironman streak of consecutive starts
  • His improvisational, fearless style
  • His durability and competitiveness

He was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, forever linked with the Packers—not the Falcons.

For Atlanta fans, he’s remembered less as “former Falcons QB Brett Favre” and more as the one that got away.

How This Story Fits Into Atlanta Falcons History

One of the City’s Biggest “What Ifs”

In Atlanta sports conversations—especially among long-time Falcons fans—the Brett Favre trade often sits alongside other big “what if” topics, like:

• What if the Falcons had kept certain star players long term?
• What if the team had made different decisions at quarterback in later years?

The Favre decision is often used as a reference point when fans debate:

• Draft strategy
• Patience with young quarterbacks
• The importance of coaching fit

For many in Atlanta, it’s a story about timing, fit, and how quickly teams can move on from a player before they fully develop.

What It Meant for the Falcons Going Forward

The immediate return for Atlanta was the first-round pick they got from Green Bay. Over time, however, fans mostly remember who left, not what that pick became.

From a city perspective:

• It’s a reminder that Atlanta has seen elite talent pass through—even if only briefly.
• It underlines how pivotal quarterback decisions can be for long-term success.
• It has shaped how some fans view later QB choices, from Michael Vick to Matt Ryan and beyond.

Key Facts About Brett Favre and the Atlanta Falcons

Here’s a quick Atlanta-focused summary you can skim or refer back to:

Experiencing Favre’s Legacy as a Football Fan in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta and want to connect this story to local experiences, there are several ways to do it.

1. Visiting Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Game Day

Even though Favre never played in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, his story is part of the broader history that shapes how Atlanta thinks about quarterbacks and roster decisions.

When you attend a Falcons game at:

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

you’re watching a franchise that has learned from decades of decisions—Favre included. Fans still occasionally bring up his name when:

• A young QB shows flashes of talent
• Atlanta debates whether to stick with or move on from a passer
• Draft season rolls around and the Falcons are on the clock

2. Exploring Pro Football History Nearby

If you’re interested in Favre’s Hall of Fame legacy, the official Hall is in Canton, Ohio—but Atlanta still gives you ways to dive into football history:

• Local sports bars around Downtown, Midtown, or near The Battery Atlanta often show classic games, highlight reels, and documentaries that include Favre’s Green Bay years.
• Sports-focused venues and fan groups in Atlanta sometimes host discussion events or watch parties featuring historic NFL matchups.

As a fan here, you’re in a city that understands both the pain and excitement of big football decisions, from Favre’s trade to more recent playoff runs.

How the Favre Story Shapes Atlanta Fan Perspective Today

Quarterback Patience and Expectations

Atlanta fans who know this history often:

• Think twice before giving up on a young QB too quickly.
• Compare new prospects to Favre’s situation—raw, talented, but needing development.
• Talk about the importance of organizational patience and coaching fit.

When Atlanta debates whether to:

• Draft a new quarterback,
• Trade one away, or
• Build a new offensive system,

the Brett Favre Atlanta Falcons story frequently comes up as a cautionary example.

A Shared Story for Long-Time Locals and New Fans

If you’re new to Atlanta or just starting to follow the Falcons, understanding the Brett Favre chapter helps you:

• See how deep the city’s football memory runs.
• Understand why some long-time fans are cautious about trading away young talent.
• Appreciate how one decision can shape decades of fan conversations.

For long-time Atlantans, it’s one of those stories that often starts with, “You know we actually drafted Brett Favre, right?”

Quick Answers to Common Atlanta Questions About Brett Favre and the Falcons

Did Brett Favre really play for the Atlanta Falcons?
Yes. He was drafted by the Falcons in 1991 and appeared in two games during his rookie season.

Why don’t people associate Favre with Atlanta more?
Because his real success came after he was traded to the Green Bay Packers, where he became a star and eventually a Hall of Famer. His Atlanta stint was brief and mostly uneventful on the field.

Was trading Favre considered a mistake by the Falcons?
At the time, many didn’t see it as a huge issue. Over time, as Favre became one of the league’s biggest stars, it has become widely viewed by fans as a major “what if” and one of the franchise’s most regretted moves.

Can I see anything related to Brett Favre at Falcons facilities or in Atlanta?
There’s no major Favre-focused display at current Atlanta venues. However, his name often comes up in local media, sports talk, and fan discussions—especially around draft time or when the Falcons evaluate their quarterback situation.

For anyone in Atlanta trying to understand “Brett Favre Atlanta Falcons,” the key is simple:

He was drafted here, barely played, was traded quickly, and then became a legend somewhere else—leaving Atlanta with one of the most famous “what if” stories in NFL history and a lasting lesson in patience, fit, and timing at quarterback.