The Atlanta Falcons are stepping into a new chapter-and it’s one that promises change at every level. With Kevin Stefanski now at the helm as head coach, the franchise is clearly shifting gears, aiming to retool both its culture and its on-field identity. And while there’s plenty of buzz around rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., his immediate future remains uncertain as he continues to rehab from a torn ACL suffered in November.
Penix, who has already drawn praise from Stefanski for his potential, is deep into an intensive recovery process. Whether he’ll be ready to take the field by Week 1 of the 2026 season is still very much up in the air. That leaves the Falcons in a bit of a holding pattern at the quarterback position-one that could define the early part of Stefanski’s tenure.
But while the QB situation is murky, the rest of the roster is getting some clarity. The Falcons are locking in key staff members, starting with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who’s staying on a new three-year deal.
On the offensive side, Stefanski is bringing in a trusted name: veteran offensive line coach Bill Callahan. That’s a savvy move-Callahan’s reputation for building tough, technically sound lines precedes him, and he’ll be instrumental in protecting whoever ends up under center.
Of course, the biggest domino yet to fall is Kirk Cousins.
According to reports, the Falcons are expected to release the veteran quarterback before the new league year kicks off in March. It’s a move that’s both strategic and symbolic.
Cousins’ contract was recently restructured in a way that gives him the freedom to explore his next opportunity while offering Atlanta some much-needed cap relief. Specifically, the team pushed a hefty $32.9 million into his 2027 base salary-money that would become fully guaranteed if he were still on the roster past mid-March.
In essence, the Falcons are giving Cousins a respectful exit while clearing the runway for a new direction at quarterback.
Cousins wasn’t just a placeholder in Atlanta-he posted a 5-3 record in his eight starts last season, throwing for 1,721 yards and 10 touchdowns. He brought stability and veteran leadership to a team that was still finding its footing. But with a new front office led by general manager Ian Cunningham and a fresh coaching staff in place, the Falcons are clearly taking a long look at every position-even ones where the previous regime saw promise.
The NFC South remains wide open, and Atlanta knows it. That’s part of what makes this offseason so critical.
The Falcons have the pieces to compete-especially with talents like tight end Kyle Pitts still in the fold-but they’re also playing the long game. That means making tough calls now to build a sustainable contender down the line.
Stefanski has a track record of getting the most out of his quarterbacks. Whether that next success story is Penix, a new face, or someone else entirely, the Falcons are betting on a fresh start-and they’re not waiting around to make it happen.