Despite back-to-back 8-9 seasons that cost head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot their jobs, the Atlanta Falcons were actually among the most impactful teams down the stretch last season. They ended 2025 on a four-game winning streak — which included a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that cost them a playoff spot, and a win over the Los Angeles Rams that changed the balance of power in the NFC West and helped the Seattle Seahawks earn the NFC’s top seed.
With Falcons hero Matt Ryan coming on board to run the football operation, Atlanta hired Kevin Stefanski to be its new head coach. Stefanski is a highly respected offensive guru who was mired with mediocre offensive talent in Cleveland the last six years, so taking over a team that boasts big-play weapons like Bijan Robinson and Drake London could be a treat.
The big offseason question is figuring out if quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who tore his ACL in late November, will be ready for the start of next season. While it sounds as if the Falcons will let veteran Kirk Cousins go, they might need a Plan B if Penix shows any signs of a slow rehab. The other big decision involves free agent tight end Kyle Pitts, who finally flashed his potential last season. Atlanta may slap the franchise tag on Pitts, which would give Stefanski another weapon in his arsenal.
2025 recap
The 2025 Falcons were a schizophrenic bunch. A Week 6 upset of the Buffalo Bills put them at 3-2, and they looked like serious contenders to win their first NFC South title in 10 years. Then they promptly lost five in a row, including back-to-back overtime losses. The Week 11 OT loss to the Carolina Panthers was particularly tough, because the Panthers needed a late fourth-down touchdown to stay in the game — and Atlanta’s four-game winning streak to close the season tied them for first with the Panthers and Bucs, meaning that Week 11 loss actually cost Atlanta a playoff berth.
Four of Atlanta’s losses were by three points or less, underscoring just how close this team was to making the playoffs. Bijan Robinson, already beloved in fantasy circles, established himself as one of the game’s elite with 2,298 scrimmage yards (1,478 rushing, 820 receiving) and 11 total touchdowns.
The defense had its moments, but gave up too many points. Atlanta ranked 19th in scoring defense, allowed 40 or more points five times.
Key free agents
RB Tyler Allgeier
DL David Onyemata
DE Leonard Floyd
TE Kyle Pitts
LB Kaden Elliss
DE Arnold Ebiketie
Falcons salary cap space
$26,462,519
2026 draft needs
The Falcons don’t have a first-round pick in 2026 because they traded up last year to get edge rusher James Pearce Jr. The good news is that Pearce had a very promising rookie season; the bad news is that Pearce was arrested this winter on domestic violence charges and missing time due to suspension might be a best-case scenario. So pass rush might still be a pressing draft need. In addition, Atlanta can use help on the interior defensive line and perhaps a productive WR2 to complement Drake London. And if they don’t retain Pitts’ services, then tight end becomes a priority.
2026 opponents
Home:Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Kansas City, San Francisco
Away:Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Green Bay, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Washington