Atlanta Falcons quarterback Easton Stick faced challenges in the opening half during Friday night’s preseason game against the Tennessee Titans, as the Falcons offense had difficulty finding rhythm. After a rough start, Stick managed to redeem himself by connecting on a critical 52-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Blair in the third quarter, tying the game at 20.
Heading into the matchup, some speculated that Stick could put pressure on veteran Kirk Cousins for playing time, especially after a strong showing in the first week of preseason. However, the initial stages of the game suggested otherwise, with Stick and the offense struggling to build momentum against the Titans defense.
Stick Connects Deep with Chris Blair for Touchdown
The highlight of Stick’s night came on a second-and-11 play from the Falcons’ own 48-yard line when he found Blair roughly 20 yards downfield. Blair then sprinted along the sideline to complete the touchdown, bringing the Falcons back into the contest. A couple of plays earlier, Stick also ran for 12 yards on second-and-8, marking the longest throw and run of his performance that evening.
Following the touchdown, Stick was replaced by Falcons No. 4 quarterback Emory Jones for the subsequent possession, marking the end of his time on the field for the night despite playing three full quarters.
Mixed Performance Underscored by Touchdown and Interception
While the touchdown pass was a bright moment, Stick’s overall performance was uneven. He finished the game with 145 passing yards, completing 15 of 25 attempts and averaging 5.8 yards per throw. His 14 yards on the ground came alongside a costly interception returned for a defensive touchdown during the first half, which put the Falcons in a difficult position early on.
More than a third of Stick‘s passing yards were generated on the touchdown connection to Blair, highlighting the limited success of his other throws. In the first two quarters alone, Stick completed 12 of 19 passes but managed only 78 yards before the interception occurred.
Stick’s Role and the Outlook for Falcons Quarterback Situation
Discussion surrounding the Falcons’ quarterback depth chart remains focused on whether the team will trade veteran Kirk Cousins, a move that depends largely on securing an acceptable offer rather than Stick’s preseason showing. Despite Stick’s potential, his Week 2 performance did not bolster arguments for him to become the immediate backup behind Michael Penix Jr. instead of Cousins.
Comparing Stick’s Friday night performance to his Week 1 preseason outing, his production was similar in passing yards but less efficient, completing 15 of 25 passes in Week 2 compared to 15 of 18 in Week 1, when he threw no interceptions and threw a touchdown pass.
What This Means Moving Forward for Easton Stick and the Falcons
Stick’s ability to deliver a long touchdown pass after a difficult first half shows resilience, but the consistency the Falcons need from their No. 3 quarterback position remains a concern. How the team chooses to manage its quarterback depth moving forward could influence their roster decisions this preseason, particularly in relation to Kirk Cousins’ future with Atlanta.
For Stick, this game illustrates both his upside and areas for improvement as he aims to solidify his role with the Falcons during the ongoing preseason.