The Atlanta Falcons have not seen much success in the past decade due to the team’s underperformance.
In EPSN’s early power rankings, the Falcons rank 24th. ESPN’s offseason message to the team was summed up in three words:
‘Add depth everywhere’.
“There’s no doubt the Falcons have talent across the roster. But the team’s depth was called into question in training camp after wide receiver Darnell Mooney and right tackle Kaleb McGary went down with injuries.” Marc Raimondi wrote in the ESPN article.
“McGary and his backup, Storm Norton, both missed the entire season. Mooney missed three games, and Drake London missed five games. Atlanta’s offense never seemed to be firing on all cylinders. The Falcons will need to address their depth, including at quarterback due to Michael Penix Jr.’s ACL surgery.”
The Atlanta Falcons finished the season at 8-9 and below the .500 mark for an eighth straight year. They have shown flashes of being competitive, winning their last four games of the season.
Questions Surround the Atlanta Falcons’ QB Position
Michael Penix Jr. started the season as the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback in 2025. Over his two years in Atlanta, Penix has gone 4-8 as a starter. Overall, Penix has completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 2,757 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Michael Penix Jr. is recovering from surgery to repair a partially torn left ACL, which he suffered last November. Penix suffered his injury after taking a sack in the third quarter of a Week 11 game against the Carolina Panthers. Though Penix has shown flashes of being great, he has struggled to stay on the field.
The Atlanta Falcons are expected to release QB Kirk Cousins before the start of the new league year, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Cousins stepped in as the starter when Penix Jr. was injured against the Panthers.
“Cousins and the Falcons modified the final two years in his contract, changing his 2026 base salary from $35 million to $2.1 million but adding the leftover $32.9 million to his 2027 base salary to now make it $67.9 million. That $67.9 million would become guaranteed if Cousins remains on the Falcons roster at the start of the league year in mid-March.” Schefter wrote.
With Cousins expected to be released and Penix recovering from his injury, many wonder who the starting quarterback in 2026 will be.
NFC South Division Is Wide Open
Despite questions at the quarterback position, the Atlanta Falcons have the talent to compete in the NFC South.
The Carolina Panthers won the NFC South with a losing record at 8-9. Atlanta and Tampa Bay were on the outside looking in with the same records. The New Orleans Saints finished the season at 6-11.
Though the Carolina Panthers have a bright future, but they have yet to officially hit their stride to take hold of the division. The time is now for the Atlanta Falcons if they want to turn this franchise around.
The Atlanta Falcons are now in a new era in 2026. Kevin Stefanski has officially taken over as head coach, while Ian Cunningham has been hired as the general manager.
Falcons Get Telling 3-Word Message in ‘Early’ 2026 Power Rankings