Another Former Vikings QB Enters the Mix for Falcons

A couple of years ago, ex-Minnesota Vikings passer Kirk Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons, but in 2026, and at a much smaller price tag, another former Vikings quarterback has followed suit: Trevor Siemian.

The Falcons added Siemian, bringing a familiar former Vikings passer into their evolving QB setup.

Siemian actually backed up Cousins in Minnesota eight years ago in Minnesota; now he’s in the mix behind Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa down in Atlanta.

Atlanta Adds Another Layer to Its QB Depth Chart

Do you remember Siemian?

Siemian to Falcons

Siemian’s long NFL career continues. SBNation‘s David Choate wrote Tuesday, “Per NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, Trevor Siemian will be joining the Falcons as their new third quarterback. If Michael Penix Jr. isn’t healthy to begin the season, he’ll back up Tua Tagovailoa directly; either way, this is about getting experience insurance for the quarterback room.”

“You’re getting a player who you’re hoping can be a good teammate holding a clipboard and that you’d only have to install for a start or two in dire straits, instead of someone who will be counted on to start for half a season. In light of that, Siemian is a perfectly solid choice for QB3 who has the experience and track record to give the Falcons some confidence in an emergency.”

Siemian spent the last two seasons in Tennessee as a backup to Cam Ward (2025) and Will Levis (2024).

The Outlook as QB3

Like Carson Wentz in Minnesota — he re-upped with the Vikings last week — Siemian is firmly in the Falcons’ QB room as a QB3. There’s just no way he’ll dethrone Penix Jr. or Tagovailoa for the QB2 job, let alone QB1, and he may have to battle an eventual fourth quarterback to avoid the practice squad or an outright August release.

In other news, the Penix Jr. vs. Tagovailoa battle will steal all NFL headlines, assuming Penix Jr.’s knee is good to go by training camp or the preseason. The Falcons picked Penix Jr. in Round 1 two years ago and still have high hopes for his development, even if he regressed and got hurt as a sophomore in 2025.

Tagovailoa is no slouch, either. He led the NFL in passing yards as recently as two seasons ago. He could upset Penix Jr., and no one would bat an eye.

Tagovailoa said about the upcoming competition a couple of weeks ago, “If there’s no competition, I don’t think anyone’s getting better, in aspect of the field of work you’re in. I am excited to be able to compete against Penix, to compete with him, to be able to get to know my teammates on a personal level, knowing them from the outside in.”

“We have a lot of good football players on this team, so I’m excited to get to play with these guys and get the chance to throw the ball around, conversate with them. I think it’s going to be great.”

Siemian’s History

In 2018, Siemian served as the backup to the aforementioned Cousins and secured the QB2 role for the Vikings. Despite successfully holding off Kyle Sloter for the position during the preseason, Cousins’ consistent availability limited Siemian’s regular-season playing time. He didn’t see the field at all that year.

Siemian’s NFL career includes stints with the following teams:

• Denver Broncos (2015–2017)
• Minnesota Vikings (2018)
• New York Jets (2019)
• Tennessee Titans (2020)
• New Orleans Saints (2020–2021)
• Chicago Bears (2022)
• Cincinnati Bengals (2023)
• New York Jets (2023)
• Tennessee Titans (2024–2025)
• Atlanta Falcons (2026)

Siemian remains a recognizable name, primarily because of his tenure as the Broncos‘ starting quarterback following Peyton Manning’s retirement. Ten teams in 12 seasons indicate staying power, if only in hopscotch format.

All the Falcons’ FA Moves

The Falcons have fired up about 15 external and internal signings since the start of free agency two weeks ago:

• Jake Bailey (P) DET → ATL
• Cam Thomas (ED) CLE → ATL
• Channing Tindall (LB) ARI → ATL
• Samson Ebukam (ED) IND → ATL
• Nick Folk (K) NYJ → ATL
• Christian Harris (LB) HOU → ATL
• Da’Shawn Hand (DL) LAC → ATL
• Darnay Holmes (CB) LV → ATL
• Austin Hooper (TE) NE → ATL
• Corey Levin (C) TEN → ATL
• LaCale London (DL) ATL → ATL
• Azeez Ojulari (ED) PHI → ATL
• Trevor Siemian (QB) TEN → ATL
• Tua Tagovailoa (QB) LAC → ATL
• Chris Williams (DL) CIN → ATL
• Olamide Zaccheaus (WR) CHI → ATL

Here’s who left for other teams:

• Tyler Allgeier (RB) ATL → ARI
• Dee Alford (CB) ATL → BUF
• Arnold Ebiketie (ED) ATL → PHI
• Kaden Elliss (LB) ATL → NO
• Felipe Franks (TE) ATL → CAR
• Zane Gonzalez (K) ATL → MIA
• Jovaughn Gwyn (C) ATL → BAL
• Bradley Pinion (P) ATL → MIA
• Darnell Mooney (WR) ATL → NYG
• David Onyemata (DL) ATL → NYJ
• Sam Roberts (DL) ATL → NYG
• Kentavius Street (DL) ATL → CHI
• Teagan Quitoriano (TE) ATL → ARI
• Elijah Wilkinson (G) ATL → ARI

Cousins, a free agent, should sign somewhere before too long, and the rumor mill suggests the Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers are viable landing spots.

Siemian will turn 35 in December. Sportsbooks expect the Falcons to win seven or eight games in 2026.