With Kevin Stefanski taking over the helm of the Falcons and Kirk Cousins officially out of the picture, Michael Penix gets his first full campaign to prove he is Atlanta’s long-term answer. When a franchise goes through coaching changes, high-stakes quarterback investments, and years of hovering around the middle of the pack, finding sustained stability becomes the top priority.
Last Year
The Falcons finished their 2025 campaign with an 8–9 record, missing out on a postseason run after being caught in a tight, three-way split atop the division. At their best, the offense ran through Bijan Robinson, who finally was unleashed a bit and put together an elite dual-threat season with over 2,000 scrimmage yards to keep Atlanta competitive week in and week out. At their worst, a cloud of quarterback instability overshadowed the season. Kirk Cousins began the year as the starter before losing the job, and just as Michael Penix Jr. began showing flashes of dynamic starter capability, a late-season injury sidelined him and forced Atlanta to shuffle back to Cousins. The defense turned in gritty performances early, but secondary depth issues and late-game stalls cost them crucial divisional matchups.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Offseason additions and subtractions
To reset the culture and offensive structure, Atlanta made a splash by bringing in former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. The front office then signaled a full pivot to the future by cutting Kirk Cousins with a post-June 1 designation in March, officially turning the keys over to Penix.
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To reinforce the roster, Atlanta brought in veteran presence across the board. They added Tua Tagovailoa as high-end quarterback insurance, signed running back Brian Robinson Jr. to partner with Bijan out of the backfield, and added pass-catching depth with wide receivers Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus alongside veteran tight end Austin Hooper. On defense, the Falcons signed pass rushers Samson Ebukam and Azeez Ojulari while acquiring safety Sydney Brown via trade. Major departures included releasing Cousins, parting ways with linebackers Troy Andersen and Kaden Elliss, and seeing veteran safety Justin Simmons head into retirement.
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Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson carries the ball vs. the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
Roster
There is reason for cautious optimism when evaluating Atlanta’s overall roster makeup. The offense is built to lean heavily on its backfield star power; Bijan Robinson remains the centerpiece, and the addition of Brian Robinson Jr. provides a punishing one-two punch in Stefanski’s run-heavy system. Out wide, Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts offer massive target profiles downfield, while speedster Zachariah Branch—drafted in the third round—gives the passing game a quick-element weapon. I have a lot of questions about Pitts considering the team never really was successful with him.
On defense, the unit features solid foundational pieces upfront, but depth in the secondary and linebacking corps remains a question mark, especially if injuries pile up over a tough 17-game slate.
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Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) celebrates his touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Betting Outlook
The Falcons have a win total of 7.5. I have a lot of questions about how this team will actually work out, though. Tagovailoa is almost certainly going to get injured. Penix Jr. doesn’t seem to have a lot of faith from the organization, considering this is the second veteran they’ve brought into the franchise. There is more depth on offense than they’ve had in years, but their defense still seems to be questionable at best. Kevin Stefanski seems to be well regarded, and I can’t really knock him for his results from coaching the Browns. Seven wins seems like the right number for them, but it wouldn’t shock me to see eight. I actually like the offense, but am concerned about how this defense will look. I’ll stay away, but I could see them winning the division and getting to nine wins as well.
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