Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley isn’t going anywhere before next season begins, at least according to coach Dan Quinn. Speaking in an interview with Vaughn McClure at ESPN, Quinn made it clear that the team plans to keep Beasley around for at least another year.
Although Beasley’s performance has been frustrating to say the least following a breakout season in 2016, Quinn says he wants more consistency from the former first-round pick but he also believes in him, per McClure’s article.
“I think it’s going to take really good preparation and really consistent play. . . But if I didn’t think that he could do it, I wouldn’t [commit]. So that’s our belief as an organization, to say, ‘Hey, man, we believe you can get the job done.'”
Beasley posted a league-high 15.5 sacks and also led the NFL in forced fumbles (six) three seasons ago. He’s managed just 10 sacks and one forced fumble in the two years since, though.
While it’s true that sack numbers can be notoriously fickle from season to season, Beasley’s drought has extended too long to blame statistical variance. On film, Beasley still showcases the speed and instincts that made him an appealing draft pick for the Falcons in the first place. He’s often in position to make a stop, but has shown a maddening inability to finish. At this point, there’s clearly a mental hurdle involved.
The decline has been steep. Pro Football Focus ranked Beasley No. 103 out of 106 edge defenders this past season.
Beasley is probably never going to repeat the numbers he posted during Atlanta’s Super Bowl run and that’s alright. If he can return to being a double-digit sack threat and stop being such a liability in run defense, that might be enough to make a long-term investment in him.
Quinn isn’t ready to go there yet. He told McClure that Beasley will need to prove himself in 2019 before they sign him to an extension.
In related news, Quinn also told ESPN that the team hopes to re-sign defensive end Bruce Irvin and wants to avoid using the franchise tag in order to keep DT Grady Jarrett.
Update:
Speaking with reporters at the combine, Quinn said he’s going to take a hands-on approach with Beasley this season.
This is good news for Beasley, who could certainly benefit from working more closely with a defensive line guru like Quinn.
