Former Atlanta Falcons Quarterbacks: A Local Fan’s Guide to the Team’s Signal-Caller History

If you spend any time around Mercedes-Benz Stadium, walk through The Home Depot Backyard, or tune in to sports talk on Atlanta radio, one topic always comes up: Falcons quarterbacks, past and present.

For Atlanta residents, visitors heading downtown for a game, or anyone trying to understand the city’s football identity, knowing the history of former Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks is one of the best ways to understand Atlanta sports culture itself.

This guide walks through the most notable former Falcons QBs, how they shaped the city’s relationship with the team, and where their legacy still shows up around Atlanta today.

Why Former Falcons Quarterbacks Matter in Atlanta

Quarterbacks have often defined entire eras of Falcons football. In Atlanta, certain names immediately spark memories of:

• Big playoff runs and heartbreaking losses
• The energy around Downtown Atlanta on game days
• Tailgates, watch parties, and sports bar debates across the city

Understanding former Falcons quarterbacks gives you:

• Context for what you hear on local sports radio and at bars in Midtown or Buckhead
• Perspective on current quarterbacks and draft decisions
• Talking points if you’re new to Atlanta and want to connect with long-time fans

The Most Iconic Former Atlanta Falcons Quarterbacks

Here are the quarterbacks most Atlanta fans mention first when they talk about team history.

Matt Ryan: The Steady Leader of the Modern Era

Falcons years: 2008–2021

For many Atlantans, Matt Ryan is the face of the modern Falcons. Drafted in 2008, he brought stability to a franchise emerging from one of its most difficult periods.

Key reasons he’s so important locally:

• Led the Falcons to Super Bowl LI and multiple playoff appearances
• Known for consistency, durability, and professionalism
• Holds many franchise passing records
• Helped make Sundays at the Georgia Dome—and later Mercedes-Benz Stadium—must-see events

If you tour Mercedes-Benz Stadium or visit team shops around Atlanta, you’ll still see plenty of Ryan jerseys. Long-time fans around the city often refer to him as “Matty Ice” with a mix of respect and nostalgia.

Michael Vick: Electrifying Talent and Complex Legacy

Falcons years: 2001–2006

Ask almost any Atlanta sports fan about Michael Vick, and you’ll hear strong feelings—positive, negative, or both.

Locally, he’s remembered for:

• Transforming how quarterbacks were seen, with his unmatched running ability
• Making the Georgia Dome one of the loudest venues in football during his peak
• Being a major cultural figure in Atlanta in the early 2000s
• A legal scandal that deeply affected the city’s relationship with the team

Around Atlanta, you may still see Vick jerseys at games and watch parties—especially in neighborhoods with long-time fans who grew up during his era. He’s part of many conversations about Atlanta sports culture, not just Falcons history.

Steve Bartkowski: The First Franchise QB Star

Falcons years: 1975–1985

Before Vick and Ryan, there was Steve Bartkowski, the first true long-term star quarterback for the Falcons.

Locally, he’s associated with:

• The team’s first big steps into respectability and playoff contention
• Memorable seasons in the late 1970s and early 1980s
• Establishing a foundation for future Falcons offenses

Older Atlanta fans, especially those who attended games at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, often bring up Bartkowski when comparing today’s quarterbacks to the early days of the franchise.

Chris Chandler: The Super Bowl XXXIII Run

Falcons years: 1997–2001

Chris Chandler may not be as frequently mentioned as Ryan, Vick, or Bartkowski, but in Atlanta, he’s forever linked with one thing:

• Leading the Falcons to Super Bowl XXXIII in the 1998 season

Around town, particularly among fans who’ve followed the team since the 90s, Chandler is remembered as the QB during the “Dirty Bird” era. That season still comes up in Atlanta sports conversations, especially when people talk about postseason heartbreaks.

“Dirty Bird” and QB Identity in the Late 90s

The late 1990s Falcons teams had a distinct identity that still resonates in Atlanta—physical, confident, and fun. Even if running back Jamal Anderson is more associated with the “Dirty Bird” celebration, quarterbacks like Chris Chandler helped drive that high-energy style that many fans in Atlanta still treasure.

Other Notable Former Falcons Quarterbacks

Many other former QBs helped shape different chapters of Falcons history. Here are some of the more commonly discussed names in Atlanta:

• Chris Redman – Often remembered as a capable backup who stepped in during transition periods, especially in the late 2000s.
• Matt Schaub – Started his career as a backup in Atlanta and returned later; local fans often cite him when talking about backup QBs who stayed prepared and professional.
• Jeff George – Known for a big arm and a short but memorable stint in the 1990s; still a point of debate among long-time fans.
• Bob Berry – A QB from earlier Falcons history, known mostly among older fans and dedicated team historians.
• Mike Smith–era backups like D.J. Shockley (a former Georgia Bulldogs star) are often mentioned locally because of their ties to the state and college football culture.

Quick Reference: Key Former Falcons Quarterbacks

Here’s a simplified overview for easy comparison:

How These Former QBs Still Shape Atlanta Today

Game-Day Conversations Around the City

If you’re in Atlanta on a football Sunday:

• At sports bars in Buckhead, Midtown, or the Battery Atlanta, debates about “Ryan vs. Vick” or “best Falcons QB ever” are common.
• Ride MARTA to a home game, and you’ll likely overhear comparisons between current and former quarterbacks.

Knowing the basic history of these former quarterbacks helps you jump into conversations and understand local frustrations or optimism.

Jerseys and Memorabilia You’ll See Around Atlanta

In and around Mercedes-Benz Stadium and neighborhood sports shops, you’ll frequently see:

• #2 Matt Ryan jerseys
• #7 Michael Vick jerseys (especially older styles from the Georgia Dome era)
• Retro #10 Steve Bartkowski gear among longtime fans

If you visit fan shops near the stadium or in major retail areas, memorabilia from these former quarterbacks is often prominently featured.

Local Media and Talk Radio

Atlanta-based sports stations regularly:

• Revisit past seasons led by these QBs
• Use former quarterbacks as benchmarks when evaluating new draft picks
• Host segments comparing the “Vick era” and the “Ryan era”

If you’re new to Atlanta and want to follow local sports talk, it helps to know:

• Matt Ryan = stability, stats, and the Super Bowl LI run
• Michael Vick = excitement, highlight plays, controversy
• Steve Bartkowski & Chris Chandler = foundational and milestone eras

Where to Experience Falcons Quarterback History in Atlanta

While there isn’t a single “Falcons QB museum,” there are places in Atlanta where you can connect with this history.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Address: 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

What you can find:

• Team store merchandise featuring past and present QBs
• Displays and visuals throughout the stadium that reference major team milestones
• A feel for how the fan base still honors or debates certain former quarterbacks

If you take a stadium tour, guides often reference major games from the Ryan and Vick eras and occasionally touch on earlier history.

Local Sports Bars and Neighborhood Spots

Across Atlanta—especially in:

• Downtown and Castleberry Hill (near the stadium)
• Midtown and Buckhead
• The Battery Atlanta near Truist Park

—you’ll find sports bars where Falcons quarterback debates are part of the culture. These spots often:

• Display framed jerseys or photos of former QBs
• Show highlight videos from memorable seasons
• Serve as gathering places for fans during big games

Team Stores and Retailers

Official team shops and larger sports retailers in the Atlanta area often stock:

• Old-school and current Falcons jerseys
• Posters or framed photos of iconic moments under past quarterbacks
• Collectibles from the Super Bowl seasons and playoff runs

For someone visiting Atlanta, this is a simple way to bring home a piece of local football history.

How Fans in Atlanta View Different QB Eras

From a local perspective, the story of Falcons quarterbacks roughly breaks into eras:

1. Foundational Era (1966–mid-1980s)

   • Focus on early stability and respectability
   • Steve Bartkowski is the key name most fans remember

2. Searching for Stability (late 1980s–mid-1990s)

   • Multiple quarterbacks in and out
   • Mixed success and constant searching for a long-term answer

3. Dirty Bird & Super Bowl XXXIII (late 1990s)

   • Chris Chandler leads the team to its first Super Bowl appearance
   • Still a proud memory in Atlanta, often revisited during playoff runs

4. Michael Vick Era (early 2000s)

   • National spotlight, highlight-reel excitement
   • Legal issues deeply affect the franchise and city sentiments

5. Matt Ryan Era (2008–2021)

   • Long-term stability, consistent contention, Super Bowl LI appearance
   • Ongoing local discussion about how his time with the team should be remembered

Understanding these eras helps you follow how Atlanta fans talk about:

• “What kind of quarterback fits this city”
• Whether they prefer flash and excitement or steady leadership
• How patient they are with rebuilding around a new signal-caller

Tips for New or Visiting Fans in Atlanta

If you’re trying to connect with Falcons history through its former quarterbacks:

• Learn the big four names: Steve Bartkowski, Chris Chandler, Michael Vick, Matt Ryan.
• Listen to how locals talk about them: You’ll hear strong, sometimes emotional opinions—especially about Vick and Ryan.
• Visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Even on non-game days, walking around the area gives you a feel for how much the city invests in its team.
• Watch highlight reels before a game day: Knowing a few iconic plays from each era can make conversations at tailgates and bars more fun and engaging.

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks are more than just names on a roster; in this city, they’re markers of different eras in Atlanta’s growth, pride, and heartbreak as a football town. Whether you’re a long-time resident, a new Atlantan, or a visitor taking in a game downtown, understanding these former QBs gives you a deeper connection to how Atlanta sees itself on Sundays.