Atlanta Falcons Rumors: Team May Give 53-Year-Old Herschel Walker A Comeback Chance

The Atlanta Falcons are rumored to be considering a move that would shock the NFL — signing 53-year-old running back Herschel Walker.

Walker, famous for his unreal fitness regimen, has said recently that he believes he still can cut it in the NFL. And it may be more than just a pipe dream.

Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn opened the door to signing Herschel Walker, saying at a local business association meeting that his team could find a place for Walker.

“He’s one of my favorite all-time players,” Quinn was quoted by the Atlanta Journal Constitution [via Pro Football Talk]. “Yeah, we have room for him…. He’d definitely fit in great from a competitive standpoint.”

If true, it would make Herschel Walker the oldest running back ever to play in the NFL, a full two decades older than the current elder back of the league, Buffalo Bills tailback Fred Jackson.

Walker seems quite confident in his abilities. In a recent interview, Walker said he believes he could still make an impact in the league.

“There is not a doubt in my mind, if I played today, I (could) contribute to a team,” he said in an appearance on the Boomer & Carton show.

Walker last played in the NFL in 1997, but seems to still have the numbers necessary to play, including a fantastic 40-yard dash time.

“The last time a ran a 40, I ran a 4.3,” Walker said on the show. “That was like a year ago. That was when I had not been doing any track work, all I had been doing was fighting.”

While he may have the ability, it remains to be seen whether Herschel Walker would actually be able to play in the NFL. If the rumors the Atlanta Falcons are interested in signing him are true, he may be able to fill a hole in the backfield. The Falcons only have one running back on the roster from last year’s team — second-year back Devonta Freeman, who ran for 248 yards and one touchdown last year.

With such a bare backfield, it’s possible that Herschel Walker could fill in a role, but whether he can still play remains to be seen. Having an excellent 40 time is one thing, but still having the vision to find gaps and avoid tackles is quite another.

So this could be a case of the Atlanta Falcons spreading rumors to attract a bit of attention in the slow offseason, but there is also a small chance that they might actually be interested in Herschel Walker.

[Image via Getty Images/Stephen Dunn]