Atlanta Falcons News

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Bijan Robinson • RB • Falcons

Bijan Robinson Could Just Be Entering His Prime

Since being selected eighth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has looked like one of the most talented backs in the league. In 2025, that talent translated through his usage and fantasy finish, ending the year as RB2 in PPR formats. His 79 receptions for 820 yards trailed only Christian McCaffrey among NFL backs, while his 858 yards after the catch led the league across all positions. On the strength of his 99 targets in the passing game, he topped 380 opportunities for the second straight year. New head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees arrive from Cleveland, where Nick Chubb was the clear focal point of Stefanski's early Browns offenses. Former Falcon Tyler Allgeier, who has averaged over 172 opportunities of his own in the three years he shared a backfield with Robinson, has been replaced by Brian Robinson Jr., who handled exactly 100 touches as the primary backup to McCaffrey in San Francisco last season. The former Robinson is still only 24 years old and has yet to miss a game in his professional career. Barring injury, he should continue to rank among the fantasy elite for the foreseeable future.

Yesterday

Kaleb McGary • OT • Falcons

Kaleb McGary Retires After Seven Years in the NFL

Atlanta Falcons starting right tackle Kaleb McGary (leg) has decided to retire after seven years in the NFL, agent Collin Roberts told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound lineman was Atlanta's first-round pick back in 2019. He started 92 of his 93 career games, but he missed all of the 2025 season due to a serious lower left leg injury that he suffered during training camp last summer. As a result, his final NFL snaps came in 2024, when he started 16 games with a 73.8 PFF grade. He was particularly productive in run blocking, where his grade of 77.6 ranked 17th-best among 81 eligible tackles. Retiring after just seven years (and six active seasons) is a bit early for a lineman, but his future in the NFL looked complicated due to the serious leg injury and his ongoing recovery. Going forward, he'll be replaced at right tackle by Jawaan Taylor, whom the Falcons signed to a one-year deal on Wednesday.

Yesterday

Jawaan Taylor • OT • Falcons

Jawaan Taylor Signs with the Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons have signed free agent offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor to a one-year deal, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. The contract includes a base value of $5 million and an additional $1 million available in incentives. Taylor previously spent four seasons in Jacksonville and three seasons in Kansas City. He has started all 111 games in which he has appeared, including a dozen contests in 2025. Although he's a household name, the 28-year-old didn't deliver the greatest production last year. His 53.3 PFF grade ranked 10th-worst among tackles, and his 43.8 run blocking grade was second-worst. He was also flagged for 13 penalties, and he surrendered 20 pressures, five quarterback hits, and three sacks. Despite an iffy season, Taylor projects as a starting tackle in Atlanta, where he'll fill the void left by the retirement of starting right tackle Kaleb McGary.

Yesterday

Kyle Pitts Sr. • TE • Falcons

Kyle Pitts Sr. Signs Franchise Tag, Present for Offseason Workouts

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. is signing his franchise tag and will be present for the start of the team's offseason program this week, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Pitts and the Falcons can still negotiate a long-term deal until the deadline in mid-July, but he's now locked into his $15.045 million fully guaranteed one-year deal on the franchise tag for the 2026 season. The 25-year-old finally delivered for fantasy managers in 2025 after teasing everyone with a 1,000-yard season as a rookie. In 17 starts last year, the former fourth overall pick in 2021 out of the University of Florida caught 88 of his 118 targets for 928 yards and five touchdowns. He was especially productive down the stretch when it mattered the most for his fantasy managers. Although Pitts' fantasy stock is on the rise after his big season, there is still plenty of volatility with Atlanta's quarterback picture unsettled between the injured Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa.

2 days ago

Kyle Pitts Sr. • TE • Falcons

Falcons Not Ruling Out Potential Kyle Pitts Sr. Trade

Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham isn't ruling out the possibility of trading tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., who is currently set to play the 2026 season on the franchise tag, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. "It's my job as the general manager to do what's best for the organization," Cunningham said. "Kyle is a great player. We've seen his skill set. Also, it's my job to listen. We're excited to have Kyle. We're excited for his future." Pitts finally broke out for his fantasy managers in 2025, catching 88 of his 118 targets for 928 yards and a career-high five touchdowns in 17 starts in his fifth year in the NFL to finish as the TE2, behind only Trey McBride, in half-PPR scoring. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues must be careful not to overvalue Pitts, though, as new head coach Kevin Stefanski "will explore" using multi-tight-end sets with Pitts, Austin Hooper, and Charlie Woerner all on the field together. The 25-year-old has clear high-end TE1 upside, but if he stays in Atlanta, he could quickly disappoint fantasy managers again, especially with a potential shift to new quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Mar 31

Drake London • WR • Falcons

Extension Thoughts for Drake London are "Top of Mind" for Falcons

Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham said extension thoughts about wide receiver Drake London are "on top of mind," according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. But right now, the Falcons are focusing on free agency and then the 2026 draft. Cunningham said that extensions for both London and star running back Bijan Robinson likely won't be focused on until after April's draft. The 24-year-old former eighth overall pick in 2022 out of USC is heading into the final year of his rookie deal and deserves a big raise after hauling in 309 catches for 3,961 yards and 22 touchdowns on 497 targets in his first four years in the league. London had a 68-919-7 line in a career-low 12 regular-season games in 2025 due to a knee issue. He was still a top-20 fantasy wideout despite missing five games. Going into 2026, London's fantasy value will carry slightly more risk with Tua Tagovailoa potentially becoming the Falcons' starting signal-caller over Michael Penix Jr. (knee), who is recovering from a torn ACL.

Mar 30

Michael Penix Jr. • QB • Falcons

Falcons Don't Want to Rush Michael Penix Jr.'s Rehab

Atlanta Falcons new head coach Kevin Stefanski said that the team isn't going to rush quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s (knee) rehab from a torn ACL that he suffered last season, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. The Falcons aren't putting a timetable on Penix this offseason after his season-ending knee injury in Week 11 of 2025. However, there have been reports that Penix is expected to be ready to return to action at some point in training camp this summer. By then, it could be too late for the former first-rounder out of the University of Washington if Tua Tagovailoa has already impressed the coaching staff in the competition for the starting QB job in 2026. Penix has torn the ACL in his knees already three times, dating back to college, so the Falcons have every reason to take it slow with the lefty signal-caller. Tua probably has the inside edge on the job in his first year in Atlanta, and Penix's lengthy injury history is ruining his dynasty/keeper stock. Depending on how Penix's rehab goes in the coming months, he could open training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

Mar 30

Michael Penix Jr. • QB • Falcons

Falcons Think Michael Penix Jr. Will be Healthy "At Some Point" in Training Camp

The Atlanta Falcons think that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will be healthy "at some point" during training camp this summer, according to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network. Not only will Penix be coming off a torn ACL, but he'll have his work cut out for him to win the starting QB job as he enters his third NFL season. The Falcons will have an open QB competition this summer between Penix and former Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, who will have a head start under new head coach Kevin Stefanski. Wolfe says that Tua has a "real chance" to win the job over Penix if he can bounce back from the worst year of his career in 2025. Atlanta's new coaching staff and front office want to give Penix a "kick in the butt, and Wolfe says it's not Penix's job to lose when he's healthy. Along with extreme durability concerns -- Penix has now had three ACL surgeries, dating back to college -- the University of Washington product could open 2026 as a backup. His dynasty/keeper stock is falling quickly.

Mar 27

Tyler Goodson • RB • Falcons

Falcons Sign Tyler Goodson for Running Back Depth

The Atlanta Falcons signed free-agent running back Tyler Goodson to an undisclosed deal on Thursday, according to Will McFadden of AtlantaFalcons.com. Goodson, a Georgia native, will head to the NFC South after spending the first three years of his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts. The 25-year-old former undrafted free agent only had 54 rushing attempts for 264 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and one touchdown in his 33 games (one start) with the Colts, adding 19 receptions on 27 targets for 103 yards and a touchdown through the air. In Atlanta, Goodson will be competing with Carlos Washington and Nathan Carter for the RB3 role this summer, behind workhorse starter Bijan Robinson and new backup Brian Robinson Jr. He had just nine carries for 24 yards and caught two passes for eight yards in 11 games for Indy in 2025. Goodson can continue to be ignored in pretty much all fantasy leagues in 2026.

Mar 26

Kyle Pitts Sr. • TE • Falcons

Kyle Pitts Sr. Remains a Risky Tight End Option Despite 2025 Breakout

After years of underperforming his draft pedigree as the No. 4 overall selection in 2021, Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. showed signs of a mid-career breakout in 2025. Across 17 games, the 25-year-old hauled in 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns on 118 targets. The Falcons placed the franchise tag on Pitts Sr. earlier this offseason, meaning he will be back in Atlanta in 2026, barring a trade. It's worth noting that Pitts Sr.'s best stretch of production came late in the 2025 season with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins under center and star Falcons wideout Drake London battling a knee injury. Cousins is no longer with the team, and London should be back to full health in 2026. The Falcons will rely on the quarterback combination of Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa, creating an unstable offensive environment around Pitts Sr. While Pitts Sr.'s 2025 production makes him an intriguing high-upside fantasy option, his profile still carries significant risk entering 2026.

Mar 26

Tua Tagovailoa • QB • Falcons

Tua Tagovailoa Open to Being a QB Mentor in Atlanta

The Atlanta Falcons will have a quarterback competition this year between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) whenever Penix is cleared to resume football activities after having knee surgery last season. Tagovailoa, a former first-rounder by the Miami Dolphins, has embraced the competition after starting 76 of the 78 games he appeared in for the Dolphins. He's also fine with helping Penix improve as a QB. "I think whatever I can do to help Mike's game will help me because if I'm helping get him better, it's helping me get better, vice versa, we're then helping the team get better," Tagovailoa said. The 28-year-old went 44-32 in his six seasons in Miami and led all QBs in 2022 in touchdown percentage (6.3%), yards per completion (13.7), and passer rating (105.5). He then led the league with 4,624 passing yards in 2023. Since then, though, Tagovailoa has suffered multiple concussions and has regressed as a passer. He thinks he can still be dangerous as a passer and that his best football is ahead of him, but he'll first need to beat out a recovering Penix for the starting gig in Atlanta in 2026. If Tagovailoa wins the job, he'll merely be a low-end QB2 with a short leash.

Mar 25

Brian Robinson Jr. • RB • Falcons

Falcons to Sign Brian Robinson Jr.

The Atlanta Falcons are expected to sign former San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. to an undisclosed deal, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Robinson has over 2,700 rushing yards, 612 receiving yards, and 22 total touchdowns in his four NFL seasons with the 49ers and Washington Commanders. The 27-year-old former third-round pick by Washington in 2022 out of Alabama had a career-low 92 rushing attempts for 400 yards and two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in 2025 as the primary backup behind workhorse Christian McCaffrey. In his three years with the Commanders, Robinson had over 700 rushing yards each season and also totaled 15 rushing touchdowns while averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He will effectively replace Tyler Allgeier as the No. 2 in Atlanta behind Bijan Robinson, although fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to be quite as productive as Allgeier was in a No. 2 role. The Falcons are expected to give Bijan the lion's share of the backfield touches in 2026.

Mar 24

Trevor Siemian • QB • Falcons

Trevor Siemian Signing With the Falcons

Free-agent quarterback Trevor Siemian is signing an undisclosed deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Siemian will provide veteran depth at the QB position in Atlanta behind Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa heading into the 2026 season. The 34-year-old veteran was originally a seventh-round selection (250th overall) by the Denver Broncos in the 2015 NFL draft out of Northwestern. He spent the first three years of his career in Denver before bouncing around with the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Chicago Bears. Siemian hasn't played in an NFL game since making five appearances (three starts) for the Jets in 2023 and throwing for 724 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. In his seven NFL campaigns, Siemian has a 58.5% completion percentage, 7,751 passing yards, 44 touchdowns, and 32 interceptions in 40 games (33 starts). His best season came in his second year in Denver, when he threw for 3,401 yards, 18 TDs, and 10 interceptions in 14 starts.

Mar 24

Bijan Robinson • RB • Falcons

Bijan Robinson Finally Has the Falcons' Backfield All to Himself

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson was already an undisputed high-end RB1, but his tremendous fantasy value is growing even larger following the team's offseason moves. The Falcons' new regime, led by head coach Kevin Stefanski and president of football Matt Ryan, allowed Tyler Allgeier to depart for Arizona in free agency, leaving Robinson as the only relevant name in Atlanta's backfield. That's an unfamiliar sight for Robinson, who had spent the first three years of his NFL career losing some touches to Allgeier. We can't rule out Atlanta bringing in another running back via free agency or the draft, but for now, Robinson has the backfield all to himself. That bodes well for the 24-year-old's chances to build upon an incredible 2025 in which he tallied 1,478 rushing yards, 820 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns. If he can recoup even half of the eight touchdowns that Allgeier vultured from him, Robinson could be the favorite to finish 2026 as the overall RB1 in all fantasy formats.

Mar 20

Nathan Carter • RB • Falcons

Nathan Carter the New Handcuff at RB in Atlanta?

Atlanta Falcons running back Nathan Carter went undrafted last year out of Michigan State and only saw nine carries for 60 yards in seven games played in 2025 in his first year in the NFL. Seven of his nine carries on the year came in the team's Week 3 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The 23-year-old was buried on the RB depth chart behind both Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. Carter should have a much bigger role in 2026, though, after Allgeier left in free agency. The Falcons could still add to the position via the NFL draft in April, but as things currently stand, Carter appears to be the handcuff option for fantasy managers who take Robinson at No. 1 overall in fantasy football drafts this fall. The only other running back on the Falcons' current roster is Carlos Washington Jr., who hasn't played a single snap on offense in his two years in the NFL.

Mar 16

Drake London • WR • Falcons

Drake London to be a Volatile WR2 With QB Uncertainty?

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London played in a career-low 12 games in 2025 due to a knee injury, but he still managed to catch 68 passes for 919 yards and seven touchdowns on 112 targets in his fourth year in the NFL. That was good enough for him to finish as the WR17 in half-PPR scoring. Had the 24-year-old not been injured, he was on track for a career-best season while working with both quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Kirk Cousins. The former eighth overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of USC has had at least 866 receiving yards in his four NFL seasons and will enter the 2026 campaign as Atlanta's clear WR1 in a new offense run by head coach Kevin Stefanski. On talent alone, London has clear WR1 upside in fantasy, but he could make for more of a volatile No. 2 given the uncertainty as to whether Penix will be ready for the start of the season. London's fantasy stock will surely take a hit if it's Tua Tagovailoa under center for the Falcons in Week 1 this fall.

Mar 16

James Pearce Jr. • DE • Falcons

James Pearce Jr. Charged With Three Felonies, Misdemeanor

Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor on Thursday in relation to a Feb. 7 incident involving WNBA player Rickea Jackson, according to ESPN's Marc Raimondi and Michael Rothstein. The 22-year-old has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing and eluding police, and resisting an officer with violence to his or her person. A fourth arrest charge of felony aggravated stalking was changed to a misdemeanor. An arrest charge of aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer was dropped. Pearce allegedly followed the car of Jackson, his ex-girlfriend, and repeatedly used his vehicle to collide with hers as she attempted to reach the police station. He was arrested and spent a night in a county correctional center before paying a $20,500 bond and being released on Feb. 8. Pearce's legal team wrote in a statement that he "maintains his innocence." It remains to be seen if the NFL will suspend Pearce for his actions.

Mar 13

Tua Tagovailoa • QB • Falcons

Tua Tagovailoa Officially Released, Free to Sign Minimum Deal With Falcons

Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports that the Miami Dolphins have officially released quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with a post-June 1 designation, leaving the veteran signal-caller free to sign a minimum contract with the Atlanta Falcons. The number five overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Tagovailoa's Miami tenure will come to a close after six seasons. In 2025, he completed 67.7% of his pass attempts for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions across 14 starts. The Falcons are reportedly planning to hold an open competition between Tagovailoa and incumbent quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee). Penix Jr. is recovering from a knee injury that ended his 2025 season, so Tagovailoa may have a slight leg up heading into offseason workouts. Both quarterbacks should be in a favorable environment for success, as the Falcons have multiple high-end offensive weapons and an established new play-caller in head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Mar 12

Kirk Cousins • QB • Falcons

Falcons Officially Release Kirk Cousins

The Atlanta Falcons officially released veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins at the start of the new league year on Wednesday, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. The 37-year-old four-time Pro Bowler spent the last two seasons in Atlanta, where he threw for 5,229 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions in 24 games (22 starts). He was benched late in the 2024 campaign in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. and entered last season as the clear backup. Cousins ended up starting eight games for the Falcons in 2025 due to Penix's season-ending knee injury. He had a few notable performances, but overall, he looked more like a QB nearing the end of his career. Cousins had 1,721 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and five picks for the Falcons last year. He'll be an option to reunite with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, but a starting job isn't going to be guaranteed, no matter where Cousins resurfaces for the 2026 campaign.

Mar 11

Michael Penix Jr. • QB • Falcons | Tua Tagovailoa • QB

Falcons to Have "Open" QB Competition Between Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr.

The NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reports that when Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) recovers from his torn ACL, it will be an "open competition" at QB between Penix and Tua Tagovailoa. Both signal-callers have struggled to stay healthy -- Penix with three torn ACLs and Tagovailoa with multiple serious concussions -- but Tagovailoa has more experience and a Pro Bowl nod under his belt in his six years in the NFL. The former fifth overall pick out of Alabama led the league in passing yards in 2023, but has struggled the last two seasons and has failed to top the 3,000-yard mark. It's low risk for the Falcons since Tagovailoa will be on a veteran's minimum in 2026, and it gives the team a chance to push Penix once he's healthy and ready to go. The problem for Penix is that if he's not physically ready to play to begin the season and Tagovailoa looks good as the starter, he might not have a chance to win the job back. It will be an interesting battle to watch later this summer in an offense with plenty of weapons now being run by a bright offensive mind in Kevin Stefanski.

Mar 10

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