The Atlanta Falcons do not usually show up in offseason buzz with flattering labels attached. This time, though, The Athletic put them in a different light, and that alone is enough to stir up some hope around 2026.
Mike Jones included Atlanta on his list of five overrated and underrated teams entering the 2026 season, and the Falcons landed in the underrated category. For a franchise that has spent most of the recent offseason conversation getting overlooked, that kind of mention stands out.
Jones pointed to the pieces already in place and the coaching change as the reason for the nod.
"Arthur Blank opted for change, and Kevin Stefanski inherits a team that features plenty of talent, with Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, A.J. Terrell, Jessie Bates III, James Pearce and Xavier Watts leading the way," Jones wrote. "If he can figure out the quarterback situation (Michael Penix Jr. versus Tua Tagovailoa) and keep one of those two on the field, Atlanta could challenge for the division."
That quarterback question is still the biggest cloud hanging over the roster. Atlanta is the only team in the NFC South without a clear-cut starter, and that naturally drags down how the team is viewed outside the building.
Still, the rest of the division hardly looks untouchable. The New Orleans Saints are being treated as an underdog in the NFC, even though the Falcons swept them while starting two different quarterbacks, with their "franchise quarterback" starting.
The Carolina Panthers won the division last season by the slimmest possible margin, taking the tiebreaker after an overtime win over Atlanta. That result is part of why the Falcons’ path still feels very much open.
And the roster is not short on talent. Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts give Atlanta one of the best three-headed monsters in the league.
On defense, James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker are coming off stellar rookie campaigns, the line has more run-stuffing size, and the secondary looks deeper and stronger than it has in quite some time. The transition should also be smoother with Jeff Ulbrich retained.
Stefanski is the other major reason for optimism. He has already shown he can get results from a quarterback-less team, guiding Cleveland to two postseasons and an upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Atlanta is betting that kind of steadiness can unlock an offense that Arthur Smith and Zac Robinson never fully figured out.
For now, the biggest issue remains obvious. But even with that unresolved, the Falcons have enough talent - and now enough outside recognition - to make 2026 feel a lot more promising than the last few years.
In Other News...
Falcons Are Sending A Crucial Message With Michael Penix Jr
Michael Penix Jr. is back around the Falcons as training camp opens, but the bigger story is what he is still not doing. After another ACL injury in a career already marked by knee setbacks, Atlanta is taking a measured approach with its young quarterback, keeping the focus on recovery rather than rushing him into the full pace of camp. For a team trying to build stability at the most important position, the decision says as much about patience as it does about Penixs long-term importance.
It also puts Atlanta in the middle of a broader conversation about how teams handle major rehabs, especially when the calendar starts ticking toward the season. Some clubs are willing to push a player back into the mix sooner, while the Falcons appear intent on protecting Penix from unnecessary risk and letting the process unfold on their terms. The unresolved question now is how long that restraint lasts once the pads come on and the competition ramps up. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Rookie Faces Troubling Camp Setback At Thin Position
Anterio Thompsons first NFL summer has already taken a detour, and it comes at a tricky time for a Falcons defensive line that does not have much room for passengers. The rookie lineman missed organized team activities and minicamp, leaving him behind before training camp even opened, and Atlanta now has to sort out how much runway he has to catch up.
For a player trying to carve out a role in a crowded position group, every missed rep matters, especially when the roster math is already tight. Thompson still has a chance to make his case once he gets back on the field, but the Falcons will be watching closely as the competition for those final defensive line jobs starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Young Core Is Drawing A Frustrating Reality Check
The Falcons long-term picture is getting a harder look, and not in a flattering way. ESPNs Aaron Schatz recently ranked Atlanta 22nd among NFL teams in elite talent under 25, a reminder that the franchises young-core buzz has not translated into the kind of deep pipeline that usually supports a contender for long.
Bijan Robinson stands out as the one offensive centerpiece still under 25 and without a new contract, but the broader concern is what comes after him. On defense, the younger group is carrying its own uncertainty, with some players still trying to find their footing and others dealing with off-field issues, leaving Atlanta with more questions than it would like for a team trying to build something sustainable. [Read more 🡒]