The Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Raheem Morris after back-to-back 8-9 seasons in 2024 and 2025, but as they prepare to kick off the 2026 NFL season under head coach Kevin Stefanski, expectations are nowhere to be found.
One might say that's a double standard, but it's likely due to the team's lack of stability at the quarterback position. Despite signing veteran Tua Tagovailoa and clearing Michael Penix Jr. for contact two weeks ago, the Falcons don't appear to be any closer to naming a starter.
If the team is going to be successful this season, the defense must lead the way. However, with question marks along the edge following James Pearce Jr.'s suspension and Jalon Walker's ACL injury, somebody is going to have to step up.
ESPN's Ben Solak
thinks third-year defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus will be the one to carry the load this season. Solak selected Dorlus as the the Falcons' "X factor" ahead of the 2026 season:
"If Dorlus isn't the disruptive looper and crasher this season that he was last season, I just can't find where the pass rush comes from in Atlanta -- even with its cut-down day trade for Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will scheme up plenty of games to account for his lack of edge-rushing talent, and Dorlus -- a long tweener with a great ability to get skinny through gaps -- will become the featured piece of third-and-long designs. He doesn't need to be perfect, but he (and Ulbrich) need to be enough to keep the pass rush lively, while the young secondary becomes the new strength of the Falcons' defense." - Ben Solak, ESPN
Dorlus seemingly came out of nowhere last season, overtaking former second-round pick Ruke Orhorhoro for the starting job and finishing second on the team with 8.5 sacks. As Solak pointed out, though, Dorlus did that with several others making plays around him.
However, it's not all on Dorlus. Defensive tackle Gervon Dexter should help take some of the pressure off of Dorlus, but the team needs other to step up as well.
The Falcons won't have to wait much longer to make their 2026 NFL regular season debut. The team will face the Steelers on the road next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. We assume Atlanta will have named its starting quarterback by then.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: ESPN names Falcons' biggest 'X factor' ahead of 2026 season
