The Atlanta Falcons are rolling into the 2026 NFL season with one of the league's youngest and most-talented rosters... or so we thought. According to league insider Albert Breer at Sports Illustrated, the Falcons actually have the oldest roster in the NFL this year.
If this news comes as a surprise, you're definitely not alone. The Falcons recently signed veteran edge rusher Za'Darius Smith (33 years old) and also kept 32-year-old backup Cooper Rush as one of four quarterbacks on the roster. As Breer mentions, none of the truly older players have important roles outside of starting left tackle Jake Matthews.
"Would you believe the Falcons have the NFL’s oldest roster? Statistically, it’s true, although it’s because of a veteran offensive line
that is anchored by 13-year vet Jake Matthews and guys like DE Za’Darius Smith, QB Cooper Rush and old friend TE Austin Hooper (plus kicker Nick Folk), who aren’t there to play overly expansive roles." - Albert Breer, SI
What really matters is that the nucleus of this team is still young or in their prime. Jalon Walker, James Pearce, Brandon Dorlus, Xavier Watts, Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts are all 25 years old or younger.
If Matt Ryan could only find a decent starting quarterback to match that young core, Atlanta could have a seriously wide championship window.
The team named Tua Tagovailoa the starter for Sunday's season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn't commit beyond Week 1.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: NFL insider shares surprising fact about Falcons' roster
