The noise from the national media is growing louder as the Atlanta Falcons have yet to name a starting quarterback one week out from their 2026 season opener. According to one NFL insider, fans won't have to wait the entire week to find out.
In today's Falcons Wire Recap, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler provides some insight into when Atlanta might name its starting QB, NFL.com predicts Jack Strand will start multiple games this season, and Khalid Kareem reunites with Raheem Morris in San Francisco.
ESPN insider suspects Falcons will name QB on Monday
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler believes that Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski could reveal the starting quarterback for Week 1 as early as Monday.
"Well, it's not final yet, but early this week, I suspect as early as Monday, when Kevin Stefanski addresses the
media, that he could announce this thing," said Fowler. Now I know Stefanski has long considered waiting until he had to release more of an official depth chart for Week 1, which is typically on a Wednesday, but I'm not sure he waits that long."
A loose timeline for Atlanta’s QB decision
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 5, 2026
(From @nflnetwork The Insiders, which I’ll join each Friday) pic.twitter.com/ybtyguvRPk
Khalid Kareem poached by 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers poached Falcons edge rusher Khalid Kareem off of the practice squad on Friday. Kareem was only just added to Atlanta's practice squad on Tuesday. The former fifth-round pick now heads to San Francisco to reunite with 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, who worked with Kareem for two seasons when he was the head coach of the Falcons.
49ers poach former Falcons edge rusher off of practice squad
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) September 5, 2026
📸 Mark J. Rebilas, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/05BYvMR4pf pic.twitter.com/I1QDbqhi0W
Bralen Trice returns to practice squad
The Falcons made more changes to their 16-man practice squad on Friday, signing former third-round pick Bralen Trice as a replacement for edge rusher Khalid Kareem. Trice suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries in 2024 and 2025 before failing to make the team's 53-man roster at last week's cut deadline.
The former Washington standout has yet to appear in an NFL regular season game, but he isn't ready to give up on his NFL dream. Since the Falcons are down two starting edge rushers, there's still a chance that Trice could make his debut this season, assuming he sticks around on the practice squad.
Falcons sign another former 3rd-round pick to practice squad
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) September 4, 2026
📸 Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images https://t.co/SgFeANOYdH pic.twitter.com/7Vk0842SXv
NFL.com predicts Jack Strand will start several games
Whoever is eventually named the starter won't be guaranteed the job for the entire season. Regardless of whether it's Penix or Tagovailoa, they will likely be on a short leash. Some analysts even believe undrafted rookie Jack Strand could see the field at some point.
In a new bold predictions feature from NFL.com, Grant Gordon predicted Strand would start "more than half" of Atlanta's games in 2026.
"Jack Strand takes over as Falcons starting QB: Atlanta will see Strand end the season with more starts than Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa. Strand will start more than half the campaign for Atlanta, showing some promise, but not enough to dissuade the Falcons from plucking a quarterback in the talent-rich 2027 NFL Draft."
NFL analyst makes bold prediction about Falcons QB Jack Strand
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) September 5, 2026
📸 Brett Davis, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/fwXu5ekCCk pic.twitter.com/5B04CwcOzv
Jessie Bates ranked among top NFL free agents in 2027
Falcons safety Jessie Bates III is set to be a free agent next offseason, and would likely have no shortage of suitors if he hits the open market. NFL.com ranked Atlanta's ballhawk among the top 25 free agents in 2027. Bates landed at No. 23 on the list.
"In a thin year for free-agent safeties, Bates still brings veteran know-how," wrote NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal.
If the Falcons want to retain players who stay on the field and produce, Bates deserves to be rewarded with at least a short-term extension. The former Cincinnati Bengals standout hasn't missed a game since coming to Atlanta. At 29 years old, Bates is still playing great football. He earned a second-team All-Pro nod in 2025, which was his first such honor since 2020. The Falcons have the money, and with key players locked up, it's time to pay Bates what he deserves.
Jessie Bates III deserves extension after 3 stellar years in Atlanta.
— The Falcons Wire (@TheFalconsWire) September 5, 2026
📸 Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports https://t.co/pq65ggTa49 pic.twitter.com/vPsRKekqms
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons Recap: ESPN insider gives update on QB1 announcement
