The Atlanta Falcons had reasonable, realistic plans to return to the postseason. Because they are the Atlanta Falcons, these plans crumbled into dust.
Kirk Cousins was reduced to a low-impact quarterback thanks to the Achilles injury he suffered before signing with the team. Michael Penix Jr., drafted eighth overall after it was clear Cousins' recovery was going slowly, suffered a third torn ACL last fall. Attempts to bolster a borderline non-existent pass rush landed on Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr.. That duo exceeded expectations as rookies, but a season-ending knee injury (Walker) and a domestic violence arrest and subsequent suspension (Pearce) will keep them from the field through most of 2026.
Thus, it's tough to know exactly what Atlanta
will look like this fall. Bijan Robinson and Drake London will continue to thrive. A solid secondary could create the havoc needed to topple high-powered opponents. But the Falcons are limited at some of the most important positions in the NFL.
Let's take a closer look.
Key addition: QB Tua Tagovailoa
Oh, boy. OK. Tagovailoa won Falcons' all-southpaw quarterback battle by virtue of seeing more snaps than an injured Michael Penix Jr. We'll see how long he can hold it.
Penix can throw a football through the side of a barn but was only on target for about two-thirds of his throws last season. Tagovailoa can thrive in an environment loaded with playmakers, but has seen his average target distance drop significantly as his deep ball waned in recent years.
How much can Drake London, Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts fix their flawed passers? That group wasn't able to revive a hobbled Kirk Cousins, who is now a Las Vegas Raider. Last year's Atlanta offense had a negative expected points added (EPA), which feels borderline criminal given the playmakers at the skill positions.
Key departure: LB Kaden Elliss
Swapping out Elijah Wilkinson for Jawaan Taylor at right tackle — blind side for Atlanta's lefty QBs — is effectively sending an undercooked meal back to the kitchen in exchange for a burnt one. But losing Elliss, Ruke Orhorhoro and Leonard Floyd takes away three of the team's most effective pass rushers (in terms of pressure rate) leading into a season where James Pearce will serve an eight-game suspension after being charged with domestic abuse.
Jalon Walker's season-ending preseason injury doesn't help either. 2025 saw an often toothless pass rush rise up to second in the NFL with 57 sacks. Replicating that will be difficult.
Potential 2026 breakout player: S Xavier Watts
Watts laid the base to prove he's a foundational piece of the Atlanta defense going forward. He notched four interceptions and emerged as a trustworthy free safety who could allow Jessie Bates III to thrive in the veteran's second All-Pro season as a Falcon. Watts has the versatility to play deep or creed up to the line of scrimmage. His impressive instincts lead to quick play diagnosis and the ability to stay near the ball all three downs.
Position ranks
- QB rank (expected points added per dropback, via RBSDM.com): 21 (Michael Penix Jr.) and 26 (Tua Tagovailoa)
- WR corps rank: 25
- RB corps rank: 2
- TE corps rank: 8
Will they improve in 2026?
Defensive losses -- one to injury, one to terrible decision making and a domestic violence arrest -- erased a big chunk of Atlanta's gains from last season. With the quarterback situation still, uh, questionable, expect less from the Falcons this fall.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Falcons 2026 season preview: It sure looks like a (sloppy, entertaining) mess
