ATLANTA -- Pass-rusher Vic Beasley and the Atlanta Falcons could be on course to part ways.
Beasley, a 2015 first-round draft pick from Clemson, says the Falcons acknowledged to him after Sunday's 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams that they are open to trading him if the deal is right.
"If that happens, then it happens," Beasley said. "But right now, I'm still on the team. So, I'm just going to try and continue to help this team win games.''
Beasley, who played Sunday, has not been the same player since leading the league with 15.5 sacks in 2016. His production has steadily declined, and he entered Sunday's game with just 1.5 sacks. He finished with no sacks and two tackles against the Rams.
"Really hard to explain," Beasley said when asked why the sacks haven't been coming. "I think it's just on us. It's on us as players. We just have to get there.''
Beasley has been the target of outside criticism, but Falcons coach Dan Quinn initially stayed committed to the former eighth overall pick. The Falcons picked up Beasley's fifth-year option at $12.81 million for this season but made it clear he would have to earn an extension.
Beasley said he is open to a change in scenery if the Falcons think that would help the team, but he also indicated he would like to stay in Atlanta.
"If they feel like I need a fresh start, that's understandable," Beasley told reporters. "But I feel like the team here, the players here, are definitely capable. We're the same collective guys that went to the Super Bowl a few years ago.''
The Falcons finished Sunday's game tied for the league low with five sacks.
The trade deadline is Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. ET.
