A Fan’s Guide to Past Atlanta Falcons Quarterbacks

If you live in Atlanta, you know the city’s mood on a Monday morning can swing wildly depending on how the Falcons’ quarterback played on Sunday. From game-days at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to watch parties along the BeltLine, quarterbacks have always been at the center of Atlanta’s football identity.

This guide walks through the most notable past Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks — what made them memorable, how they shaped the franchise, and how their eras connect to the fan experience in and around Atlanta today.

Why Quarterbacks Matter So Much in Atlanta

In Atlanta, the quarterback isn’t just another player:

• They’re the face of the team on TV and billboards.
• They’re the reason fans buy jerseys and pack downtown bars on Sundays.
• They often define entire eras of Falcons football, from heartbreaks to historic highs.

When you hear locals at an East Atlanta Village bar debating “Mike vs. Matt,” they’re really talking about how different quarterbacks changed what it felt like to be a Falcons fan in this city.

The Bartkowski Era: Laying the Foundation (1970s–1980s)

Steve Bartkowski

Steve Bartkowski was one of the first true franchise quarterbacks for Atlanta and helped put the Falcons on the NFL map.

Why Atlanta remembers him:

• Drafted first overall in 1975, he symbolized hope for a young franchise.
• Known for his strong arm and willingness to push the ball downfield.
• Helped lead the team to some of its earliest playoff appearances.

Local fan context:

Older Atlantans who grew up before the city had a thriving downtown entertainment district often recall listening to or watching Bartkowski games as a key part of fall weekends. If you meet long-time fans tailgating near Northside Drive NW, you’ll still hear his name come up when they talk about “the early days.”

Chris Chandler and the First Super Bowl Run (Late 1990s)

Chris Chandler

In the late 1990s, Chris Chandler helped guide Atlanta to its first-ever Super Bowl appearance after the 1998 season.

What made his tenure special:

• He brought stability and experience at quarterback.
• Helped orchestrate the unexpected run to Super Bowl XXXIII.
• Was part of a balanced team that many Atlanta fans still look back on with pride.

What it meant for the city:

If you talk to anyone who lived in Atlanta in the late ’90s, they’ll remember how that season energized the city, from downtown office conversations to packed sports bars in Buckhead and Midtown. It was the first time many Falcons fans truly felt, “We can be the best team in football.”

Michael Vick: Electric, Controversial, and Unforgettable (Early–Mid 2000s)

Michael Vick

Michael Vick changed not only the Falcons, but how many people in Atlanta — and across the country — thought about the quarterback position.

Why Atlantans still talk about Vick:

• One of the most athletic and dynamic quarterbacks to ever play.
• Turned Falcons games into must-see events, especially at the old Georgia Dome downtown.
• Brought national attention and prime-time games to Atlanta.

Impact on the Atlanta fan experience:

• Game days during the Vick era felt like events, with fans streaming into the Georgia Dome from MARTA stations and nearby parking lots just to see what he’d do next.
• His style matched the energy of the city — fast, bold, and creative.

The difficult part of his legacy:

• His career in Atlanta ended abruptly and painfully for fans because of off-field issues.
• Many long-time residents still have complex feelings: appreciation for his on-field excitement, mixed with disappointment about how it ended.

Vick’s era is still a major reference point in Atlanta sports conversations, especially when comparing current and past quarterbacks’ excitement levels.

Matt Ryan: Consistency, Records, and a Near Championship (2008–2021)

Matt “Matty Ice” Ryan

Matt Ryan held the starting job in Atlanta for more than a decade and is one of the most important figures in Falcons history.

Why he’s central to modern Falcons identity:

• Brought stability after the chaos of the late 2000s.
• Led Atlanta to multiple playoff appearances and a Super Bowl berth after the 2016 season.
• Earned a reputation for being poised, tough, and reliable.

What Atlantans remember most:

• The high-powered offense that lit up scoreboards at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Georgia Dome.
• The unforgettable 2016 season, including dominant offensive performances that had sports bars from Inman Park to Sandy Springs packed every Sunday.
• The heartbreaking Super Bowl loss that is still a tender subject whenever “28–3” is mentioned.

For many younger fans who grew up in metro Atlanta — whether in DeKalb, Cobb, or Fulton County — Matt Ryan is the quarterback they associate with the team.

Other Notable Past Falcons Quarterbacks

Not every quarterback defined an era, but several played meaningful roles in Falcons history. These names often come up in Atlanta football conversations, especially among long-time fans.

Chris Miller (Late 1980s–Early 1990s)

• A talented passer who played through a tough, transitional time for the franchise.
• Remembered for flashes of high-level play despite injuries and inconsistency around him.

Jeff George (Mid 1990s)

• Known for having a huge arm.
• His time in Atlanta was marked by strong throws but also tension and inconsistency.

Bobby Hebert

• Played in the early ’90s, offering veteran leadership.
• Older fans who attended games at the old Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium may still recall his grit.

Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich, and Others (Mid-2000s Stopgaps)

• These quarterbacks came through Atlanta during a transitional stretch, usually as short-term solutions.
• They are often remembered as part of the bridge between major eras, rather than as defining figures themselves.

Quick Reference: Key Past Atlanta Falcons Quarterbacks

Below is a simplified overview of some of the most impactful past quarterbacks, from the perspective of an Atlanta fan:

This table isn’t exhaustive, but it highlights the names most often discussed among fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, in local barbershops, and at neighborhood tailgates.

How Past QBs Shaped the Game-Day Experience in Atlanta

At the Stadium

If you attend a Falcons game downtown, you’ll still feel the influence of past quarterbacks:

• Jerseys in the stands: You’ll see #7 Vick, #2 Ryan, and older #10 Bartkowski jerseys mixed in with newer players.
• Conversations in the concourse: Long-time fans explain to younger family members “how it used to be,” often using past QBs as the timeline.

On game days, the area around Mercedes-Benz Stadium (1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313) becomes a living history lesson in Falcons football, with past quarterback eras showing up in what fans wear and talk about.

Around the City

• Sports bars in Midtown, Buckhead, West Midtown, and East Atlanta often decorate with photos or memorabilia of past Falcons stars, especially Vick and Ryan.
• Local youth teams around metro Atlanta sometimes reference pro quarterbacks in their play styles, making discussions of Falcons QBs a common part of youth football culture.

Tips for New or Visiting Fans in Atlanta

If you’re new to Atlanta or just visiting and want to understand the local quarterback conversation, here are a few quick pointers:

• Know the big three names: Bartkowski, Vick, and Ryan. These are the quarterbacks that most define Falcons history so far.
• Understand the emotional weight:
  • Mentioning Vick brings up excitement and controversy.
  • Mentioning 28–3 and Matt Ryan brings up pride in the 2016 season and pain over the Super Bowl collapse.
• Ask older fans about Bartkowski and Chandler: Many long-time Atlantans love sharing stories from those eras, especially if you run into them at tailgates or at long-established neighborhood spots.

You’ll be able to hold your own in most Falcons conversations across Atlanta just by recognizing how each past quarterback shaped the team and the city’s football culture.

Where to Go in Atlanta to Soak In Falcons QB History

If you want to connect more deeply with the history behind these quarterbacks while you’re in Atlanta:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tours
  Stadium tours (when offered) sometimes showcase historic team moments, including notable quarterback-led runs.

• Local Sports Bars and Restaurants

  • Areas like Downtown, West Midtown, and Buckhead often have framed photos, murals, or décor tied to key Falcons eras.
  • On Sundays during the season, you’ll hear real-time debates about how current quarterbacks stack up against Vick and Ryan.

• Community and Youth Fields
  Around metro Atlanta, from City of Atlanta recreation fields to county parks, you’ll see kids wearing old Falcons jersey numbers and mimicking the quarterbacks they’ve grown up hearing about.

Understanding past Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks is more than just knowing names. In this city, it’s part of understanding how Atlanta has grown, how its fans see themselves, and why game days still bring thousands downtown to cheer, debate, and remember the eras that came before.