Atlanta Falcons fans may finally get a different kind of preseason under Kevin Stefanski.
That’s the early read after the new head coach said he expects to use the exhibition schedule as more than just a warm-up lap, with some starters set to see action in the first and third games. Atlanta opens the preseason against the Denver Broncos on August 14th, then faces the Indianapolis Colts on August 22nd before finishing in Miami against the Dolphins on August 28th.
“I think every team is different; what your team needs can be different year to year,” Stefanski said after training camp on Thursday. “I do think in general, it's good to play in the preseason. Now, the number of plays varies, of course, and we'll really treat the first game and the third game as games that will play some of our starters.”
That’s a notable shift for a fan base that watched the previous regimes treat preseason work like something to avoid at all costs. Stefanski’s approach sounds far more practical: get players ready by letting them actually play.
“In general, I think guys, to get ready to play football, you gotta play football,” Stefanski said.
The clearest exception comes in the second preseason game. Atlanta will travel to Indianapolis for joint practices with the Colts, and Stefanski said the starters will get their work there instead of in the game itself.
“In the 2nd game, we're going over to Indianapolis to practice versus the Colts for a couple of days. So, the majority of the reps versus the Colts will go to our starters. So those guys will not play in that second game, but we'll work through our plan for the first and third game.”
For Falcons fans, that kind of language is a welcome change. Under the old setup, even players expected to matter in 2025 were often shielded from preseason snaps.
Casey Washington was one example. As a rookie in 2024, he had one reception, and he was held out of the preseason before opening Week 1 with three catches for 33 yards on a career-high 72 snaps in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He missed the next two games, then added a catch for 19 yards on 34 snaps in a win over the Commanders in game four. After that, he played 56 snaps in a win over Buffalo and finished with 0 catches on two targets before quickly sliding to the bench and being cut in June.
That’s not meant to single out Washington so much as show how little live work some players got before being asked to perform in real games.
Stefanski also left the door open on how much quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa might play. Neither has been a full participant in camp yet, and both have dealt with injuries in the past.
“We'll see when we get to those games, but again, we'll have those type of discussions leading into every game. By and large, we'll have a plan that will vary based on what we feel like that player needs to get ready for the season,” Stefanski said.
He also made a point to praise the fans who showed up Friday and said he’s looking forward to an even bigger crowd on Saturday, when camp opens to the public.
“Our guys love it,” Stefanski said of fans being in attendance. “I can promise you, the second you have the crowd out there, it brings a level of intensity, brings a level of excitement to what we do.
“I think they bring the juice for us. So I love that they're here.
I love that they're on the hill. I told the guys last night about going over there to sign autographs.
I was that kid. I know what that feels like.
It can be a special moment for them.
“So we wanna do our part and thank them for supporting us. The least we can do is go over there and say hello, take a picture, sign an autograph.”
How much Penix or Tagovailoa actually play in August still has to be determined, but Stefanski has already made one thing clear: the preseason is back to being part of the plan.
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