Atlanta Falcons 2026 NFL Season Preview
[Editor's note: The following article is from Athlon Sports' 2026 NFL Preview magazine. Order your issue online today, or grab a copy at newsstands and retail racks nationwide.]
A lot has changed for the Atlanta Falcons during the 2026 offseason. After eight consecutive losing seasons, a new regime is in place. The team parted ways with head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot, bringing in former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski and first-time general manager Ian Cunningham to try to right the ship.
Additionally, former franchise quarterback and 2016 NFL MVP Matt Ryan has come aboard as the Falcons' first-ever president of football - a role created specifically for him to help guide the organization back toward the success it experienced during his playing days.
Factor in a likely quarterback battle this summer and some off-field concerns involving a 2025 first-round pick, and there's no shortage of storylines in Atlanta. Falcons fans are simply hoping this new direction finally pulls the franchise out of nearly a decade of mediocrity.
Offense
The 2025 season was supposed to mark the beginning of the Michael Penix Jr. era. With weapons like running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., the Falcons had the young talent in place to support their quarterback.
Instead, the team stumbled to a 3-7 start, highlighted by an embarrassing 30-0 loss to the division rival Carolina Panthers and two overtime defeats through Week 11. That same week, Penix suffered a partially torn ACL and was placed on injured reserve. Atlanta managed to win five of its final seven games, but the early damage proved too much to overcome.
This offseason brought major offensive changes. One of the most notable moves was signing former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as insurance while Penix recovers. Because both quarterbacks are left-handed, the offensive structure remains consistent regardless of who starts.
The deal is also team-friendly, with Tagovailoa still owed $52.7 million by Miami, leaving Atlanta responsible for only a one-year veteran minimum. If Penix isn't ready for Week 1, the Falcons hope that a change of scenery will help Tagovailoa regain his form after a 2025 season that included 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Fortunately, Atlanta still boasts one of the league's premier young playmakers in Robinson. He led the NFL in yards from scrimmage (2,298) in 2025, earning first-team All-Pro honors. He also hauled in four touchdowns while becoming only the second running back in NFL history to record at least 1,400 rushing yards and 800 receiving yards in the same season (Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams, 2006 season).
Tyler Allgeier's departure to the Arizona Cardinals leaves a void in the backfield, but Brian Robinson Jr. is expected to step into that complementary role. While he brings a different style, the Falcons will look to maintain their physical presence in the run game.
In the passing game, London remains the clear No. 1 option after posting 68 catches for 919 yards and seven touchdowns in only 12 games last season. Pitts also enters 2026 with renewed momentum following a bounce-back year that saw him record 88 receptions and 928 yards. While consistency has been an issue throughout his career, the talent has never been in question.
The biggest concern on offense may be the offensive line. Right tackle Kaleb McGary's unexpected retirement forced the Falcons to act quickly, signing veteran Jawaan Taylor. With a left-handed quarterback, Taylor will now be responsible for protecting the blindside - making his performance critical to the unit's overall success.
Defense
The Falcons didn't just overhaul the offense this offseason - the defense also saw significant change. However, one of the most important decisions the new regime made was retaining defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Ulbrich has played a major role in the defense's recent improvement, including a franchise-record 57 sacks in 2025, which ranked second in the NFL. The unit also climbed to 15th in total defense and 19th in scoring defense - signs of real progress after years of struggles on that side of the ball.
That said, the Falcons will need to overcome several key departures. Cornerback Dee Alford, linebacker Kaden Elliss and defensive tackles David Onyemata and Ruke Orhorhoro leave noticeable gaps.
To address those losses, Atlanta added outside linebackers Samson Ebukam and Azeez Ojulari, middle linebacker Christian Harris, defensive end Cameron Thomas and free safety Sydney Brown. The team also acquired defensive tackle Maason Smith via trade, giving them a physical presence in the interior at 6-foot-5, 306 pounds.
The biggest storyline, however, involves 2025 first-round pick James Pearce Jr. He was arrested this offseason and is facing multiple felony charges. While the situation is ongoing, early indications suggest he could face a suspension but still play at some point in 2026.
Pearce set a franchise rookie record with 10.5 sacks last season, making his availability a major factor in the Falcons' defensive outlook. In his absence - or if his role is reduced - the team will rely heavily on fellow 2025 first-rounder Jalon Walker, whose versatility enables him to impact the game both as an off-the-ball linebacker and edge pass-rusher.
Specialists
Atlanta's special teams unit underwent a complete reset after a disappointing 2025 season. The team hired Craig Aukerman as coordinator and Chase Blackburn as assistant in an effort to stabilize the group.
After years of reliability at kicker, first with Matt Bryant and later Younghoe Koo, the position became a problem. Koo's struggles led to his release early in the season, forcing the Falcons to cycle through multiple options. This offseason, the team brought in veteran Nick Folk, one of the most accurate kickers in the league over the past three seasons, to provide stability. At punter, Jake Bailey replaces Bradley Pinion. Bailey, a former All-Pro, offers upside if he can return to his earlier form.
The return game remains unsettled, though rookie Zachariah Branch has the talent to claim the role long-term. Deven Thompkins could handle duties early as Branch adjusts to the NFL.
Final analysis
The Falcons enter 2026 relying heavily on young talent and a new coaching staff to push them back into contention in the NFC South - a division they haven't won since the 2016 season.
There's no shortage of intrigue, but the biggest question remains at quarterback. As John Madden famously said, "If you have two quarterbacks, you have none." That sentiment applies directly to Atlanta.
Penix's recovery timeline is uncertain, and Tagovailoa's inconsistency raises questions about his long-term reliability. While the Falcons have exciting playmakers across the roster, everything hinges on stability under center.
If that position falters, it could result in another disappointing season.
Related: Athlon Sports 2026 NFL Preview Magazine Now Available
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This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 9:46 AM.