Even after suffering the most devastating loss in Super Bowl history, the Atlanta Falcons‘ future still appeared bright going into the 2017 season.
The team avoided a Super Bowl hangover by returning to the playoffs and winning a wild-card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Atlanta’s luck would run out, though, losing to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round.
After that, the wheels began to fall off. Not only have the Falcons missed the playoffs for five straight seasons (2018-2022), they haven’t had a winning record at any point during that time period. So, what caused the team’s downfall?
Former Falcons linebacker De’Vondre Campbell recently gave his take on the situation on Twitter. According to Campbell, Atlanta’s front office “just didn’t understand how important me and [Brian Poole] were to that defense.”
They just didn’t understand how important me and @poolioo were to that defense. I called both of us the “Garbage men” we did all the dirty work and never got credit for it. They thought we were replaceable and been chasing players like us ever since
all facts https://t.co/95jSYEwZD0
— De’Vondre Campbell (@Came_Along_Way) July 24, 2023
Campbell, a fourth-round pick in 2016, was a core member of Atlanta’s defense for four seasons before signing a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020.
The versatile linebacker then moved onto Green Bay where he was voted first-team All-Pro in 2021. Campbell was somewhat underappreciated during his time in Atlanta. Instead of re-signing Campbell in 2020, the Falcons chose to throw money at free agent Dante Fowler Jr.
Atlanta let cornerback Brian Poole walk during the 2019 offseason, which Campbell felt was another bad move by the previous regime.
The Falcons will finally look to return to the postseason in 2023 for the first time since 2017. Training camp officially kicks off this week, with veterans reporting Tuesday.