Former Illinois football quarterback on NFL chopping block

It was a rough day for a former Illinois football player in the NFL.

Despite having an electric ending to his college career, former Illini quarterback John Paddock didn’t see his NFL run extend into the regular season.

On Sunday afternoon, it was announced that the Atlanta Falcons have cut ties with the big-arm gunslinger. Paddock was waived by the franchise and will now hope to land with another team that needs a talented player behind center.

The move by Atlanta doesn’t come as a surprise. They have a pretty extensive quarterback room. Kick Cousins is the projected starter. The Falcons also added Taylor Heinicke in free agency.

Atlanta is looking at the future as well. They ended up drafting Washington quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., in the 2024 NFL Draft.

With those three quarterbacks in tow, there was obviously not enough room for Paddock on the roster.

Illinois football fans will never forget the electricity that John Paddock brought the program in 2023

While Paddock navigates the choppy waters of the NFL, Illinois fans are waiting for the season to start and remember the good times Paddock had with the program.

Paddock got a chance to shine in a few games down the stretch last season for the Illini, and he lit the world on fire. Paddock had an amazing comeback against Minnesota. He then led a huge comeback against Indiana that saw him throw for 507 yards and four touchdowns.

The Northwestern game was wild too. Paddock flung the ball around for 334 yards and three touchdowns despite Illinois falling just short of a win and a bowl game.

Paddock has the arm to be a solid rotational quarterback in the NFL. I have no doubt he will continue to get looks and will potentially land with a franchise. This guy doesn’t just have the talent, but he has the moxie too.