“We need to have a clearer vision on offense, defense, and teams and how we are going to play. Have a coaching staff that understands that clearly. A GM who understands clearly. How do you build players, bring them into the roster that match that system and that philosophy, and hold people accountable for their results and their decision-making and their performance.”
In an article published four days after former head coach Raheem Morris and former general manager Terry Fontenot were officially relieved
of their duties with the Atlanta Falcons, now-retired Atlanta Journal-Constitution Atlanta Falcons writer D. Orlando Ledbetter reported that owner Arthur Blank stated the following regarding his takeaways from the outside consulting reports that shaped his decision to let the pair go after the 2025 season.
As you read the statement over again, remember the initial pairing of Arthur Smith and Terry Fontenot. Remember the revolving door of defensive coaches and coordinators, from Dean Pees to Ryan Nielsen to Jimmy Lake, culminating in Jeff Ulbrich.
Ulbrich getting what he did out of the young core he had last season was a necessity for the Falcons to be competent, because the two-pronged approach to the quarterback position had failed to gain the short-term success the Cousins signing was supposed to elicit, while also not solidifying the long-term answer to the position, the shocking Michael Penix, Jr. pick was supposed to give.
A full reset was necessary. A gutting of how this team has been run since the hiring of Fontenot in 2021 was needed, and that started with the hiring of Matt Ryan. Then, with the subsequent hirings of Kevin Stefanski and Ian Cunningham, the Falcons are on the road to recovery after a tumultuous five years that ended without a winning record and a dismal 37-48 record (43.52%).
Now, with limited resources and only five picks in the upcoming draft, Ryan, Stefanski, and Cunningham have looked to make the most of this first year as they look to clear the Cousins conundrum off the books and look toward potentially competing in a still-down NFC South in 2026.
That leads us into today’s article: Experts around the NFL sphere had their thoughts on Atlanta’s first week of free agency under new management. As Atlanta brought in Tua Tagovailoa and answered a few key questions (while ignoring a few, as well), there were a few grades that the Falcons brass have earned from pundits from various sites.
We average their initial grades and give the Falcons a consensus first-wave grade as Atlanta continues to go bargain shopping in the next wave of free agency.
PFF’s Gordon McGuinness: B+
Tagovailoa was not good in 2025, but the cost is important in this deal. Due to the nature of his release from the Miami Dolphins, the Falcons don’t have to spend big here, and the potential upside is huge. Tagovailoa earned PFF overall grades of 81.9 and 86.9 in 2022 and 2023, respectively. If he can return to that level, then this is an absolute steal for Atlanta. If he can’t, then it’s a low-cost move that doesn’t prevent the Falcons from seeing what Michael Penix Jr. looks like again in 2026.
CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell: C+
The Falcons signing Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year deal makes total sense: Atlanta doesn’t have to change the offense when either he or Michael Penix Jr. are hurt because they’re both left-handed.
Yes, Tagovailoa is probably washed after throwing a career-high 15 interceptions in tandem with his lengthy injury history. This offseason sets up Michael Penix Jr. for a put up or shut up type of season. The offensive nucleus of All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson, All-Pro tight end Kyle Pitts and former top 10 pick wide receiver Drake London with Kevin Stefanski calling plays will reveal if Penix is worth investing in beyond his rookie deal.
Atlanta doesn’t have a 2026 first-round pick, but this is a team that could have won the NFC South with a more accurate kicker. Losing three underrated players in Allgeier, Onyemata and Elliss hurts, but the Falcons are a team that could level up with even slightly above average quarterback play. They have to eat their medicine from a salary cap perspective after cutting Kirk Cousins, but they’re equipped to challenge for the NFC South crown in 2026 before big decisions will be able to be made in 2027 with more cap space and a first-round pick.
Pro Football & Sports Network’s Alec Elijah: C-
Atlanta’s start to free agency has been a bit of a head-scratcher, with several moves that feel more like short-term patches than clear long-term solutions. The most surprising addition came at quarterback, where the Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. While the move adds competition under center, it’s far from a definitive answer at the position moving forward.
The Falcons are also bringing in wideouts Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus. Both players can contribute, but neither currently profiles as a clear-cut No. 2 option alongside Drake London. At tight end, the Falcons welcomed back Austin Hooper on a one-year contract, while Kyle Pitts was kept in the fold via the franchise tag.
Defensively, Atlanta focused on strengthening the front seven. Edge rushers Azeez Ojulari and Cameron Thomas were added to provide rotational depth and boost the pass rush. Meanwhile, linebacker Christian Harris could play a key role in filling the void left by the departure of Kaden Elliss, giving the Falcons another athletic presence in the middle of the defense.
NBC Sports’ Kyle Dvorchak: C+
As of right now, the Falcons’ biggest signing by contract value goes to Jahan Dotson, on a two-year, $17 million contract. Since 2022, Dotson’s .8 yards per route run and .1 targets per route run both rank dead last among wideouts with at least 1,000 routes. Olamide Zaccheaus doesn’t bring much more to the table either. Tua Tagovailoa should be their most impactful signing, even if he doesn’t cost the most. Because of offset language in his contract, Tua is all but free for the Falcons. With Michael Penix recovering from a knee injury, Tagovailoa could be in line for a handful of starts to open the year. Tua’s time as a long-term starter appears to be at an end, but he’s a great backup option, especially when his salary is the veteran minimum.
Yahoo Sports’ Frank Schwab: C-
The Falcons had to address quarterback due to Michael Penix Jr.’s ACL recovery (and his middling play), and they moved quickly to sign Tua Tagovailoa. He was cheap and he has been good in the past, but expectations should be low. There weren’t any big signings while running back Tyler Allgeier and cornerback Dee Alford signed elsewhere. They did hold onto Kyle Pitts by giving him the franchise tag, but that and signing Tagovailoa is tough to get too excited about.
