The Atlanta Falcons are once again staring down a long offseason, and the changes are already underway. At 5-9 and officially out of playoff contention for the eighth straight year, Atlanta is parting ways with veteran return specialist Jamal Agnew-a move that signals the franchise’s intent to shake things up before 2026 even hits the calendar.
Agnew, a 2017 fifth-round pick who burst onto the scene with All-Pro honors as a rookie in Detroit, later earned a Pro Bowl nod with Jacksonville and built a reputation as one of the league’s most electric return men. But his time in Atlanta didn’t quite live up to that billing.
This season, Agnew averaged 7.6 yards per punt return and 24.7 yards per kickoff return-both numbers trailing his career marks. It’s clear the Falcons were hoping for more of a spark in the return game, and when that didn’t materialize, they made the call to move on.
For the Falcons, this isn’t just about one roster cut-it’s part of a broader identity crisis. This team has struggled to find a rhythm in all three phases of the game, and while injuries have certainly played a role, the special teams unit has been a consistent weak spot.
In today’s NFL, where field position and hidden yardage can swing games, you can’t afford to be average-or worse-on special teams. Atlanta needs more than just a reliable returner; they need a complete overhaul of the unit’s execution, discipline, and playmaking ability.
Agnew’s release also highlights the Falcons’ ongoing search for playmakers who can shift momentum in subtle but crucial ways. Special teams often fly under the radar, but they’re the connective tissue between offense and defense.
A big return can flip the field. A missed assignment can cost a game.
Atlanta hasn’t been winning those margins, and it’s showing in the standings.
As for Agnew, the 30-year-old still brings experience and a résumé that includes some of the most electrifying returns of the past decade. But coming off a season where he didn’t see game action, and with his 31st birthday approaching in April, his next chapter is uncertain.
That said, he’s already carved out a legacy as one of the league’s more dynamic return specialists of his era. Whether he catches on elsewhere remains to be seen, but his impact on special teams is undeniable.
Meanwhile, the Falcons have three weeks left to evaluate what they’ve got internally. That starts with Sunday’s road trip to face the 3-11 Arizona Cardinals.
It’s not just about wins at this point-it’s about finding answers. Can someone step up in the return game?
Can the Falcons start to piece together the small details that have eluded them all season?
The big picture remains murky in Atlanta, but one thing is clear: the status quo isn’t cutting it. And if this move is any indication, the Falcons are ready to start rewriting the script.