NFL
Season Outlook:
Two straight 8-9 finishes and an eighth straight year missing the playoffs were enough to cut ties with coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. Kevin Stefanski and Ian Cunningham step in facing immediate questions at the most important position. Atlanta has talent on defense and at running back, but a looming quarterback situation threatens to derail this season.
What's Changed:
Head coach, GM, and quarterback – to start. Kirk Cousins was released after two forgettable seasons. In his place to compete with Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback is Tua Tagovailoa, who was signed on a one-year deal after being cut loose by Miami. Atlanta had no first-round pick, but did use its top choice on cornerback Avieon Terrell while re-signing much of a defense that collectively set the franchise single-season sack record.
Bigger Role & Sophomore Breakout:
There are new concerns along the front seven following James Pearce Jr.’s eight-game suspension and Jalon Walker's ACL injury. Third-year defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus could be one to solidify a defense that needs to hold serve this year if the Falcons are going to be relevant. Last year, he emerged as a starter and finished second on the team with 8.5 sacks. Xavier Watts is coming off a fourth-place finish in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, but could elevate his play even further in coordinator Jeff Ulbrich's system.
Key Question: How will Pearce’s absence affect the pass rush?
In mid-August, the second-year lineman was ruled out for nearly half the season after being charged with multiple felonies. The off-the-field nature of those serious actions aside, the impact this could cause, being without a player who was one sack short of the Falcons rookie record, is tremendous considering how meaningful he was to the unit in 2025.
Prediction:
Without stability at quarterback, the Falcons are a mess. They go 5-12 in Stefanski’s first season and don’t resolve many lingering questions. Penix gets the job and holds on to it as long as he’s healthy, but 2027 eventually becomes more of a priority than 2026. The defense does enough to keep them in most games, but the offense can’t get out of its own way despite having one of the most talented backs.
X-Factor:
A healthy, effective Michael Penix Jr. completely changes the calculus for this franchise. The Falcons are still on the hook for a risky top-10 pick they made two years ago. He played well in nine starts last season before tearing his ACL. His trajectory will be determined by his well-being and that, in turn, will tell us where the Falcons go.
Final Scorecard:
- Offense: 5
- Defense: 6
- Coaching: 6
- X-Factor Upside: 8
- Schedule Strength: 6