How Falcons' incorporation of Michael Vick laid foundation for QBs of today
The Atlanta Falcons didn’t just draft a quarterback when they selected Michael Vick with the No. 1 overall pick in 2001 — they drafted a revolution. His arrival in the NFL signaled the beginning of a seismic shift in how the quarterback position was played, perceived, and celebrated. Over two decades later, Vick himself is unapologetic in claiming his place in football history.
“I DIDN’T JUST CHANGE THE GAME FOR ATLANTA — I CHANGED IT FOR EVERY QUARTERBACK WHO CAME AFTER ME.” — Michael Vick
It’s a bold statement, but few would argue against it. Before Vick, the quarterback role was dominated by statuesque pocket passers who rarely strayed from the pocket. Vick shattered that mold. With blazing speed, a rocket arm, and the swagger to match, he proved that a quarterback could be just as dangerous with his legs as with his arm.
The Falcons embraced his unique style, tailoring their offense around his mobility and improvisational brilliance. Suddenly, defensive coordinators were forced to prepare for something the league had never truly seen before — a quarterback who could outrun linebackers, flip the field in seconds, and still launch a 60-yard bomb with ease.
Vick’s influence can be seen today in nearly every NFL stadium. Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray, and even Patrick Mahomes owe a piece of their playing style to the path Vick paved. The modern quarterback is expected to be multidimensional, not just a pocket passer but a dynamic weapon capable of extending plays and creating chaos for defenses.
Of course, Vick’s career wasn’t without turbulence. Off-the-field issues interrupted his prime and cast a long shadow over his legacy. Yet, even with those blemishes, his impact on the game remains undeniable. Fans still remember the jaw-dropping highlights, the Madden cover that became a cultural phenomenon, and the way he made the Falcons must-watch television.
In Atlanta, Vick didn’t just fill seats; he inspired a generation. Kids growing up in the early 2000s wanted to be No. 7, sprinting to the outside and throwing deep passes on the run. For many, he made quarterbacking look cooler — and more accessible — than it had ever seemed before.
As the NFL continues to evolve, Vick’s fingerprints are everywhere. The league is now filled with athletic quarterbacks who can create magic outside the pocket, a direct reflection of what he brought to the field over 20 years ago. His legacy isn’t confined to highlight reels — it’s alive in the very fabric of today’s game.
Michael Vick may no longer take the field, but his words ring true: he didn’t just change the game for Atlanta. He changed it for everyone who followed.
AFC Notes: J.K. Dobbins, Bo Nix, Broncos, Chargers
Broncos
Bo Nix is entering the second year of his career after his breakout rookie campaign in 2024. Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning is confident Nix is “made of the right stuff” to continue being a highly successful quarterback.
“Bo is made of the right stuff. He’s a little bit older, carries himself the right way. And all of it should help as he moves forward in his career,” Manning said, via Troy Renck of the Denver Post. “I am just happy that Bo is the established starter. For a number of years, they had quarterback competitions. That’s hard on the receivers, the coaches, the play-caller, and the quarterback. Now, they’ve got their guy.”
Manning thinks Nix showed talent beyond his years as a rookie.
“I just don’t see that as being a big factor for him. Rookie quarterbacks are supposed to struggle, and then the game slows down. But, it sure looked like it slowed down a lot for him last year,” Manning said. “Like with C.J. Stroud, Bo didn’t play like a rookie. … I believe experience is the best teacher, and he got great experience last year.”
Manning added that playing under Sean Payton for a second season should be beneficial for Nix.
“The continuity, more than anything else. There are times when guys go into their second year, and they are going on their third coordinator,” Manning said. “He has an experienced head coach in Sean, who is his play-caller. Having that same voice and verbiage is so critical. We expect Sean to be here for a long time, so Bo will use that to his advantage.”
Broncos
Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins had a resurgence in his career after missing 2022 with a knee injury and 2023 with a torn Achilles. His surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, said he grew a close relationship with Dobbins and praised him for his perseverance.
“I can’t say enough about him,” ElAttrache said, via Luca Evans of The Denver Post. “I mean, he’s the kind of guy that I would like to have as a friend forever. He’s that kind of person.”
ElAttrache pointed out that damaged ligaments can never return to their previous health, but Dobbins has worked hard on his rehab.
“You never want to expect they’re going to be 22 years old again,” ElAttrache said. “You can’t turn back the clock and go before, when he was that number one (running back) for the Ravens. But, having said that, his performance was still right there.”
Chargers
Chargers DC Jesse Minter still holds on to rejection letters from graduate assistant jobs that he applied to across the country, accumulating 98 in total. Minter said the rejections are a reminder to be grateful for where he is now.
“Because that’s just how I operate,” Minter said, via Daniel Popper of The Athletic. “It’s just that reminder of the joy that it is, the blessing that it is, the opportunity that you have, not to take it for granted and not to ever feel like you’ve arrived.”
Minter said he’s always tried to operate without an ego and build a culture of letting people know their value.
“A lot of coaches have crazy egos, and I think there’s a difference in being confident in yourself and sure of yourself, and then having an ego,” Minter said. “I’ve always tried really, really hard to not have an ego, to really try to build a situation where everybody feels like they have value, where everybody feels like they’re part of the success.”
- Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Chargers RB Najee Harris participated in three-straight practices last week and was cleared for contact on Friday.
