The Atlanta Falcons' 2025 season was a rollercoaster-flashes of brilliance, gut-punch losses, and ultimately, another year without a playoff berth. For a team still stuck in an eight-year postseason drought, inconsistency remains the defining trait. And now, change is coming.
Owner Arthur Blank is reshaping the organization after a season that teased potential but delivered frustration. Let’s break down the biggest winners and losers from a Falcons campaign that started with hope and ended with more questions than answers.
Winner: Bijan Robinson - The Engine That Never Quit
If the Falcons were playing in January, Bijan Robinson would be in the MVP conversation. The second-year back was electric all season, leading the NFL in scrimmage yards and piling up 11 touchdowns along the way. And that’s despite sharing red zone work with Tyler Allgeier, who often got the call inside the five.
Robinson did it all-explosive runs, reliable hands out of the backfield, and a knack for making defenders miss in space. What’s wild is that he’s still just 23.
We haven’t even seen his ceiling yet. If the Falcons can build a more stable offense around him, watch out.
Bijan’s already a star; now it’s about giving him the stage he deserves.
Loser: The Coaching Staff - Missed Moments, Missed Opportunities
The coaching carousel is spinning again in Atlanta, and for good reason. The staff simply didn’t rise to the moment.
After a statement win over the Bills, the Falcons failed to string together wins, echoing the midseason collapse of 2024. That inability to capitalize on momentum was costly.
There were also puzzling personnel decisions. The team moved on from its wide receivers coach after just three games, but kept the special teams coordinator despite repeated breakdowns that directly cost them wins. Offensively, Zac Robinson’s unit never found rhythm, and Marquice Williams’ special teams group struggled all year.
Now, they’re all out. And the Falcons are once again starting over.
Winner: Kyle Pitts Sr. - A Timely Resurgence
Heading into a contract year, Kyle Pitts Sr. needed to remind everyone why he was a top-five pick. Mission accomplished.
After two underwhelming seasons, Pitts found his stride again-especially down the stretch. His 11-catch, 166-yard, three-touchdown explosion in Tampa was vintage Pitts and a clear sign that he’s still capable of being a game-changer. That performance likely secured him a hefty payday, whether via a new deal or the franchise tag.
This was the version of Pitts Atlanta envisioned when they drafted him. Now the question is whether they can keep him in that groove moving forward.
Loser: The Quarterback Room - Big Names, Bigger Letdowns
It was supposed to be a new era under center in Atlanta. Instead, it was more of the same.
Michael Penix Jr. never got off the ground. Accuracy issues plagued him early, and a third ACL tear ended his season before he could turn things around. It’s a devastating setback for a player who came in with so much promise.
Then there’s Kirk Cousins. The veteran quarterback didn’t live up to the $180 million investment.
He played too cautiously, often prioritizing avoiding sacks over pushing the ball downfield. The result?
A stagnant passing game that never found its rhythm.
For a team that needed stability at the most important position, 2025 brought more turbulence.
Winner: The 2025 Rookie Class - Instant Impact Across the Board
If there’s a silver lining to the Falcons’ season, it’s the rookie class. Simply put, it was the best in the league.
James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker were menaces off the edge, quickly becoming two of the top rookie pass rushers. Xavier Watts stood out as the best first-year safety in the NFL, and Billy Bowman Jr. was playing at a high level before his season-ending injury. Even seventh-rounder Jack Nelson was the only rookie who didn’t see the field.
This group didn’t just flash potential-they delivered. And they’re a huge reason why the Falcons’ defense took a major step forward.
Loser: Darnell Mooney - A Disappointing Tenure Nears Its End
Darnell Mooney’s time in Atlanta appears to be running out-and it’s hard to argue otherwise.
The wide receiver struggled all year, failing to create separation and making costly mistakes when he did get open. Drops, fumbles, and a lack of consistency defined his season. For a player expected to be a key part of the passing game, Mooney never found his footing.
After just two seasons, it looks like the Falcons will move on.
Winner: The Defensive Line - From Liability to Legacy
No unit improved more than the Falcons’ defensive line. After years of being one of the league’s least productive pass-rushing groups, they flipped the script in 2025.
Atlanta broke its single-season sack record, with contributions coming from everywhere. Twelve players recorded at least two sacks.
Five had four or more. Two reached eight-plus.
Even better? The top four sack leaders are all on rookie contracts.
This wasn’t just a step forward-it was a leap. And it gives Atlanta a foundation to build on defensively.
Loser: Injured Defenders - Talent That Never Took the Field
The Falcons have high hopes for Troy Andersen and Bralen Trice, but injuries continue to derail those dreams.
Neither player saw the field in 2025. Andersen, whose rookie year showed promise, has now played just 26 of a possible 86 games in his career-all of them in his first season. With his contract up, it’s unlikely he returns.
Trice, meanwhile, has yet to play an NFL snap. The team still believes in his upside, but 2026 will essentially be a rookie year for the third-year linebacker. It’s a tough spot for two players who could’ve helped a defense that was otherwise ascending.
Winner: Jeff Ulbrich - Redemption in the ATL
Jeff Ulbrich’s stint in New York didn’t end well, but he’s found redemption in Atlanta.
The veteran coach helped orchestrate a defensive turnaround, fueled by a stellar rookie class and key veteran contributions. His vision came to life as the Falcons developed a legitimate pass rush and got strong play from previously overlooked defenders.
Players like Dee Alford, Mike Ford, C.J. Henderson, Divine Deablo, Ronnie Harrison, and LaCale London all revived their careers under Ulbrich’s watch. The hope now is that he sticks around, even as the coaching staff undergoes changes.
Loser: Capitalizing on the Moment - A Missed Opportunity
Everything was lined up for the Falcons in 2025: a soft schedule, a second-year coaching staff, and a roster full of emerging talent. The NFC South was wide open.
The defense was better than expected. Bijan Robinson was dominant.
And yet, they missed the playoffs again.
This wasn’t a season where the Falcons were outgunned-they were out-executed. They had the pieces.
They just couldn’t put them together when it mattered. That’s the kind of missed opportunity that lingers.
**Bottom line? ** The Falcons aren’t short on talent.
They’re short on consistency, leadership, and execution in big moments. With another offseason of changes ahead, the pressure is on to finally turn promise into production.