David Archer

Michael Penix Jr., now the Falcons' starter, has a rocket arm and mobility that David Archer could only dream of in the '80s—Penix's quick release and deep-ball accuracy echo Archer's gunslinger days, but with modern protection rules, he'd post Archer-like 8.9 passer ratings weekly if dropped into that era's smashmouth Falcons setup. Archer held the fort through some brutal defenses; Penix inherits a cleaner pocket.

Nope, David Archer's not in Canton—never made a Pro Bowl, and his six-year NFL stint with the Falcons, Chargers, and Redskins (4,337 yards, 18 TDs) didn't scream Hall of Fame, even if he lit up Iowa State college ball. Solid journeyman, but the busts stay dusty for him.

In 2026, David Archer's out of the spotlight, likely chilling in business ventures or local broadcasting gigs after his playing days—think ex-QB radio color man calling Falcons games or charity quarterback clinics for Atlanta kids. No big headlines, just that quiet post-football grind most '80s guys settle into.

Archer's live-arm cannon would feast in today's pass-happy NFL—fewer defenders teeing off on QBs means his 51% Falcons completion rate jumps to starter-viable, especially with RPOs suiting his scrambler legs (1,544 CFL/NFL rush yards career). He'd be a poor man's Geno Smith, not elite but game-managing in domes.

Matt Ryan lapped David Archer as Falcons QBs—Ryan's 42.23 passer rating towers over Archer's measly 8.9 in Atlanta, where Archer went 150-of-294 amid stonewall defenses. Ryan's MVP precision vs. Archer's wild-west prayers? Like comparing a scalpel to a slingshot, both franchise faces but worlds apart in efficiency.