The Atlanta Falcons wasted no time shaking things up after their 2025 season came to a close. First came the headline-grabbing move - former franchise quarterback Matt Ryan stepping into the President of Football role.
Then, the team made another bold hire, bringing in Kevin Stefanski as the next head coach. The general manager seat, vacated by Terry Fontenot, remains open for now, but all signs point to a decision coming soon.
Once the front office trio is in place, their first major challenge is crystal clear: what’s the plan under center?
The Michael Penix Jr. Puzzle
Two years ago, the Falcons used the No. 8 overall pick on Michael Penix Jr., betting on his big arm and upside. This season, he got the keys to the offense as the full-time starter.
But nine games in, the returns were underwhelming. Penix threw for just 1,982 yards and nine touchdowns - solid numbers at first glance, but the tape tells a more complicated story.
He only tossed three interceptions, but there were several near-misses that easily could’ve inflated that total.
And then there’s the elephant in the room: the injuries. Penix tore his ACL late in the season - the third time in his career he’s suffered that exact injury.
Add in two significant shoulder issues from his college days, and durability becomes a real concern. With that ACL rehab expected to stretch into the start of the 2026 season, there’s a strong chance he won’t be ready for Week 1.
Now consider this - the new regime didn’t draft Penix. They have no attachment to him, which makes it all the more likely that they’ll explore every possible option this offseason. And that brings us to the next name on the board.
The Kirk Cousins Conversation
There’s been plenty of buzz linking Kirk Cousins back to Atlanta, especially given his past connection with Stefanski from their time together in Minnesota. But let’s pump the brakes.
Cousins’ contract was restructured in a way that all but guarantees he’ll hit free agency this offseason. That wasn’t an accident - both sides knew what they were doing.
Could a reunion happen? Sure, in theory.
But would Cousins really want to walk back into a situation where he’s once again splitting reps or competing with a younger quarterback like Penix? It feels like a stretch.
More likely, both sides move on and look for better fits elsewhere.
The Free Agent Market: Slim Pickings
If the Falcons are hoping to find a plug-and-play starter in free agency, the options are - let’s just say - less than inspiring.
Daniel Jones is still recovering from an Achilles injury, and Aaron Rodgers might be done altogether. Beyond those two, there aren’t many proven starters available. One intriguing name, though, is Malik Willis.
Willis has quietly put together a solid resume in Green Bay while backing up Jordan Love. In three starts over the last two seasons, he’s gone 2-1, averaging over 300 yards through the air per game with six touchdowns and no interceptions. That kind of efficiency - even in a small sample - is bound to catch attention.
Still, Willis is more of a high-upside gamble than a sure thing. If the Falcons are looking for something a little more stable, there’s another name that makes a lot of sense.
The Mac Jones Fit
Given the Falcons' current draft capital - or lack thereof, thanks to the James Pearce Jr. trade - and a thin free-agent class, Mac Jones might be the most logical path forward. And frankly, it’s not a bad one.
Jones signed a modest two-year, $8.4 million deal with the 49ers last offseason to serve as Brock Purdy’s backup. But when Purdy went down, Jones stepped in and delivered.
He started eight games, leading San Francisco to a 5-3 record while throwing for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six picks. He completed nearly 70% of his passes, posted a 97.2 passer rating, and finished with a QBR of 62.9.
And he did all of that without most of the 49ers’ top weapons on the field.
That’s not just competent quarterback play - that’s the kind of performance that can win you games, especially in a system like Stefanski’s. We’ve already seen what Stefanski can do with reclamation projects at quarterback - Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, even Daniel Jones before his injury this season. Mac Jones could be next in line for that kind of bounce-back.
The contract makes it even more appealing. With a cap hit under $4 million in 2026, Jones wouldn’t just be a potential starter - he’d be a bargain.
That gives the Falcons the flexibility to bring him in, let him compete with Penix, and reassess after the season. It’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward move.
The only real obstacle? The trade.
San Francisco won’t be eager to move Jones, especially given Purdy’s injury history. And with multiple teams likely to show interest, the price could climb into the mid-round range.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a Falcons team that only holds five picks in the upcoming draft.
The Bottom Line
The Falcons are at a crossroads. They’ve got a new front office, a new head coach, and a big question mark at the most important position in football.
Michael Penix Jr. still has potential, but his health and inconsistency make it risky to go all-in. Kirk Cousins probably isn’t coming back.
The free-agent market is thin.
That leaves Mac Jones as the most realistic - and perhaps most promising - option. He’s proven he can win games, he fits Stefanski’s system, and he won’t break the bank. If the Falcons can pull off a deal, they might finally have the steady hand they’ve been searching for under center - and a real shot at contending in the NFC South.