The Atlanta Falcons have finally started making moves to address one of their most persistent problems this season: special teams.
For weeks, the coverage units have been leaky, the return game uninspiring, and the overall execution well below the standard of a playoff-caliber team. The numbers back that up, but so does the eye test-missed lanes, poor angles, and a return game that simply hasn’t threatened opponents. Now, after 14 weeks, the Falcons are taking a step that felt overdue: veteran return specialist Jamal Agnew is inactive.
Agnew’s Role Shrinks After Struggles
Agnew, a former Pro Bowler and longtime return man in the league, was brought in this offseason in hopes of stabilizing the return game. After a year away from football-following his release from the Jaguars post-2023-Atlanta gave him a shot to reboot his career. But that comeback story never materialized.
Through 14 weeks, Agnew averaged just 24.7 yards per kick return and 7.6 yards per punt return. Those numbers might look passable on paper, but context matters.
Atlanta ranks dead last in the league in kick return average at 22.8 yards-nearly a full yard behind the next-worst team. In a league where field position can swing games, that’s a serious liability.
And unlike returners who double as offensive contributors, Agnew hasn’t brought value in other phases. He’s been a specialist in the purest sense-and when the special teams unit is underperforming, that’s a tough spot to justify on the active roster.
A Shift in Strategy
Agnew wasn’t listed on this week’s injury report, making this a healthy scratch. He’s joined by another special teams contributor, JD Bertrand, who’s also inactive. Meanwhile, wide receivers Casey Washington and Malik Heath are healthy scratches again-Washington for the fourth straight game.
The decision to sideline Agnew signals a clear shift. The Falcons are turning to younger, more versatile options.
Deven Thompkins, a familiar name in the NFC South, has been getting more reps as a returner and has flashed some potential as an offensive weapon as well. That kind of dual-threat ability is something Atlanta’s been missing in the return game all year.
There’s also the question of who pairs with Thompkins on kick returns. Darnell Mooney could be in line for that role.
While he’s primarily known for his work as a receiver, Mooney has the speed and vision to be effective in space. Thursday Night Football against the Buccaneers could give us our first real look at the new return unit-and with Raheem Morris’s tendency to defer when winning the coin toss, we might get that answer right out of the gate.
Depth Chart Watch: Drummond in the Mix
Backup wideout Dylan Drummond is listed as the third kick returner on the depth chart. If the Falcons rotate or want to keep Thompkins fresh for offensive snaps, Drummond could see action as well. He’s a player the coaching staff has liked for his reliability and work ethic-traits that can translate well in the return game, especially when ball security is a premium.
Coaching Under the Microscope
While roster tweaks are a start, the broader issues on special teams haven’t gone unnoticed. Coordinator Marquice Williams has been under fire for much of the season.
Coverage breakdowns, return inefficiency, and a lack of creativity have all been recurring themes. But with just a few weeks left in the regular season, there’s no indication that a coaching change is imminent.
Still, the Falcons are clearly trying to patch the holes. Making Agnew inactive isn’t a cure-all, but it’s a necessary move. Atlanta’s special teams have been a drag on their overall performance, and if they have any hope of staying in the playoff hunt, they can’t afford to give away hidden yardage every week.
This change might be late, but it’s a step in the right direction.