Was The Falcons' Decision To Cut John Abraham A Mistake?

The Falcons' anemic pass rush has been a hot button topic around these parts for years. The solution to that problem always seems to be out of reach. After a disappointing conclusion to the 2012 season, the Falcons thought they could cut ties with John Abraham (and his $7 million cap hit), sign a proven free agent with some tread on his tires, draft some prospects, and rely on internal options en route to a remedy. Not an entirely misguided approach.

Unfortunately it didn't work.

With Abraham departed, the Falcons don’t have a pass rush and have dipped to 3-10 while the  Cardinals are in the hunt for the playoffs.

Coach Mike Smith said he spoke with the Abraham a couple of times when the team was making their personnel decisions. Before facing the Falcons earlier this season, Abraham said the team told him it was a “business decision.”

In retrospect, it was a very bad business decision.

I'm not sold. Sure, John Abraham has rebounded nicely in Arizona. And sure, the Falcons might've been more formidable with both Abraham and Osi Umenyiora on their roster. But where does that $12 million (the $7+ million cap hit Abraham would've represented combined with the $4.75 cap hit Umenyiora represents) come from? The team has to balance their needs, and the salary cap is a fact of life.

Keep in mind, Abraham struggled mightily to stay on the field in 2012. Given that he was closer to 40 than 30, I don't blame the Falcons for thinking a steep regression was on the horizon. Heck, it might still be. I'm very happy for Abraham, it's great that he's playing for a playoff team. But I don't think the Falcons' decision to part ways was some sort of catastrophic business decision. Do you?