Rookie Edge Duo Turning Heads in Atlanta, Bryce Young Still Backed in Carolina, and Cam Jordan Finds New Fire in New Orleans
Falcons Bet Big on James Pearce Jr. - And It's Paying Off Early
When the Falcons traded away their 2026 first-round pick to move up and grab James Pearce Jr. at No. 26 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, it raised some eyebrows. Giving up future capital is always a gamble, but head coach Raheem Morris didn’t hesitate - and now we’re seeing exactly why.
Pearce has been a game-changer off the edge, leading all rookies with a 15.3% quarterback pressure rate. That’s not just good - that’s elite territory for a first-year player. And when you pair him with fellow rookie Jalon Walker, who’s already forced two fumbles (tied for most among rookies), you start to understand Morris’ vision.
“Yeah, we love James Pearce,” Morris said. “He’s done a great job of providing us a lot of relief in our pass rush this year. Being able to get Jalon and double it up and get James, I love those guys.”
Both Pearce and Walker have notched five sacks so far this season, a strong return for two rookies still adjusting to the speed and complexity of NFL offenses. Morris isn’t one to throw around lofty projections, especially when it comes to sack totals - he knows how tough it is for young pass rushers to consistently get home. But he’s clearly encouraged by what he’s seen.
“You never really want to put big sack expectations on rookies,” Morris said. “Sometimes you put unrealistic expectations on some of these young guys.
It’s hard to get to the quarterback. It’s a process, but I think they have done a nice job in those roles, and they are getting better and better every single week.”
This is more than just a hot start - it’s the foundation of a long-term defensive identity. Atlanta’s investment in young edge talent is already paying dividends, and if Pearce and Walker continue on this trajectory, the Falcons may have found their pass-rushing tandem of the future.
Panthers Still Committed to Bryce Young Amid Growing Pains
Bryce Young’s sophomore season hasn’t been smooth sailing, but the Panthers aren’t jumping ship. Despite the ups and downs, the organization still believes in their young quarterback - and that belief is backed by more than just hope.
Young recently set a single-game franchise record for passing yards in a win over the Falcons, a flash of the talent that made him the No. 1 overall pick. But consistency has been elusive, and part of that comes down to the situation around him.
Carolina has shuffled through ten different offensive line combinations this season, and Young is working with a young, still-developing group of wide receivers. That’s a tough hand for any quarterback, let alone one still adjusting to the pro level.
Still, the front office and coaching staff are evaluating his performance with those factors in mind. According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Panthers are expected to pick up Young’s fifth-year option, which would lock him in at around $26.5 million - a clear signal that they’re not giving up on their franchise QB.
It’s a reminder that quarterback development isn’t always linear. The tools are there, and the flashes are real. Now it’s about building the right environment around him - and giving him the time to grow into the player Carolina believes he can be.
Cam Jordan Finds New Life in New Orleans After Coaching Shakeup
Cameron Jordan has never been shy about speaking his mind, and the Saints’ veteran defensive end didn’t hold back when reflecting on his recent struggles - or the coaching changes that helped reignite his game.
Jordan called former defensive line coach Todd Grantham “the worst D-Line coach of his life,” and said the experience left him feeling like the team was ready to move on from him. But instead of fading out, Jordan used that frustration as fuel.
“I was reenergized [starting] last year,” Jordan said. “Yeah, I was.
I didn’t think so. I was like, ‘They’re trying to put me out to pasture.’
I got enraged and once you get enraged, you realize it comes from a place of passion. I was like, ‘No, I’ve got too much love for this game.’”
Once Grantham was out of the picture, Jordan says things started to click again. He felt like he was finally being given a real opportunity to contribute - and he’s made the most of it.
“Once the position coach left, it’s like the light opened up,” Jordan said. “It was like, ‘Hey Cam, we’ll give you a chance.’ That’s all I’ve ever asked.”
Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley praised Jordan’s adaptability, pointing out that his ability to thrive in different schemes is a big part of what’s kept him effective this deep into his career.
“It’s just a testament to him that he can do anything,” Staley said. “What he is doing now is he’s really, I think, in a comfort zone within the scheme.
And then now you’re seeing the playmaking - that rush with the strip sack, that’s textbook Cam Jordan. But I also thought there were a lot of little things in there in the run game where it was also textbook Cam Jordan in a different scheme, but doing it the same way that he’s always done.”
At 2-10, the Saints are clearly in a rebuilding phase. But Jordan isn’t checking out. He’s still locked in, still chasing wins, and still playing for something bigger than incentives.
“My goal is to win,” Jordan said. “Sitting at 2-10 and the team has always incentivized some part of my contract. I’ve never once played for those incentives.”
For a team looking to turn the page, having a leader like Cam Jordan - still producing, still passionate - is more than just a luxury. It’s a blueprint for how to carry a franchise through transition.