Atlanta Falcons News

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Tyler Allgeier • RB • Falcons

Tyler Allgeier Unlikely to Return to Falcons?

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier has been a key piece of the team's backfield in his four years since he was taken in the fifth round in 2022 out of BYU, rushing for 2,876 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. Allgeier had a franchise rookie record of 1,035 rushing yards in 2022 and ranks seventh in the NFL in EPA per carry among RBs with more than 250 carries in that span. He's one of just two RBs in the league with more than 500 carries in that time who have not fumbled. However, The Athletic's Josh Kendall writes that "it's hard to imagine how Atlanta will be able to bring him back." The Falcons probably won't offer the 25-year-old starting RB money as the backup to star Bijan Robinson. Allgeier has shown an interest in returning to Atlanta, but it probably isn't in the cards. He had 514 rushing yards and a career-high eight touchdowns on 143 carries in 2025 and will be in high regard if he hits the open market. Depending on where he lands, Allgeier's fantasy value could skyrocket in 2026.

Yesterday

Tyler Allgeier • RB • Falcons

Tyler Allgeier Maintains Standalone Value Behind Superstar

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier continued to carve out standalone value in his role behind Bijan Robinson throughout the 2025 season. Allgeier had his ups and downs, making it difficult to know when to start or sit him. His role wasn't exactly matchup dependent or even game script dependent, so he spent most of the season as a risky RB3/flex in a boom-or-bust role. However, on a positive note, he played all 17 games and finished with yet another solid stat line. He rushed for 514 yards and eight touchdowns on 143 carries, posting a new career-high in touchdowns as he vultured a lot of Robinson's goal-line work. He also caught 14 passes for 96 receiving yards. Allgeier ranked as the overall RB39 in PPR leagues, and he has now posted a top-43 finish in each of his four NFL seasons. Robinson's steady availability has left Allgeier in a backup role, but it's worth noting that he's arguably the most valuable fantasy handcuff and would jump to the top-12 range if Robinson were to miss time. Between his modest standalone value and his upside as Robinson's backup, Allgeier will continue to be a solid fantasy option for 2026. In dynasty leagues, he's a "hold" for most managers, but he's an important "buy" for managers with Robinson on their roster.

5 days ago

Drake London • WR • Falcons

Drake London Could Get a New Deal This Offseason

The Athletic's Josh Kendall writes that if new Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham's proactive approach carries over from Chicago, wide receiver Drake London "could get a new deal this offseason." London signed a four-year, $21.53 million deal in May of 2022, and the Falcons exercised a $16.82 million team option for the 2026 season in April of last year. A long-term extension makes sense for the 24-year-old, who established himself as one of the league's top wideouts over the last two seasons by catching 168 of his 270 targets for 2,190 yards and 16 touchdowns in 29 games. Kendall believes that London likely sees himself as the type of player who should make at least $30 million annually. Atlanta might view him more in the $25 million-per-year range, but either way, he's key to the Falcons' future.

Feb 10

Kyle Pitts Sr. • TE • Falcons

Kyle Pitts Sr. Likely to Remain in Atlanta in 2026

Atlanta Falcons impending free-agent tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. seems likely to remain in Atlanta in 2026, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic. Kendall believes the franchise tag for Pitts makes the most sense, which would mean Pitts would make a little more than $16.3 million in 2026. Placing the franchise tag on the 25-year-old would give new head coach Kevin Stefanski a year to evaluate Pitts with his own eyes. Pitts teased fantasy managers for years after his 1,000-yard rookie season in 2021, only to fall flat. The former first-rounder finally played up to his abilities in 2025, catching a career-high 88 passes on 118 targets for 928 yards and a career-high five touchdowns in 17 games played. He had at least six catches and 57 yards in five of the final six games. Although Atlanta's quarterback situation is up in the air with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) injured, Pitts' fantasy stock as a TE1 is on the rise going into 2026 if he stays with the Falcons.

Feb 10

Drake London • WR • Falcons

Drake London Primed for a Return to the Top Five?

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London finished 2024 as the WR5 in Half-PPR formats, and at times in 2025, he looked primed for a repeat performance. However, a knee injury cost him four games down the stretch, leaving him looking like a shell of himself upon his return. While the quarterback situation in Atlanta remains unsettled heading into 2026, London has proven himself to be an elite talent in the league, finishing as a top-six graded receiver by PFF in back-to-back seasons. If the Falcons can find even league-average quarterback play for the foreseeable future, London should again be one of the best fantasy bets at the position in 2026 and could actually be undervalued in dynasty leagues, as the current consensus WR8.

Feb 10

Darnell Mooney • WR • Falcons

Darnell Mooney Coming Off a Disappointing Second Season in Atlanta

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney didn't live up to expectations during the 2025 season. Many fantasy managers viewed Mooney as one of the most intriguing No. 2 wide receivers in fantasy football coming into the year, but injuries and a lack of rapport with Atlanta's quarterbacks cost his fantasy managers in a big way. Mooney, who had 992 yards and five touchdowns in 2024, came back down to earth with just 32 catches, 443 yards, and one touchdown across 15 games this past season. The sixth-year receiver had the second-worst season of his career, letting down the managers who drafted him at his preseason ADP around 120. It will be interesting to see how the Falcons address their pass-catching unit this offseason. At the very least, we would expect them to bring in some competition for Mooney. However, the team also has a glaring hole at tight end with Kyle Pitts headed for free agency. Plus, the quarterback position remains in limbo with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) injured and Kirk Cousins' future uncertain. There are a lot of moving parts here, but one thing is for certain: Mooney will be ranked a lot lower in 2026 fantasy drafts than he was in 2025. Managers shouldn't be rushing to select Mooney or acquire him in dynasty leagues.

Feb 10

James Pearce Jr. • DE • Falcons

James Pearce Jr. Arrested Following Police Chase

Atlanta Falcons rookie defensive end James Pearce Jr. was arrested on Saturday on two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, and fleeing/eluding police. The arrest came in Florida after Pearce crashed his car, following a police chase. Pearce, whom the Falcons traded their 2026 first-round pick to acquire in the 2025 draft, was in San Francisco days earlier for the NFL Honors, where he was nominated for Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Falcons have issued a statement, saying, "We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami. We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time." In addition to the criminal charges he faces, Pearce is now subject to investigation under the NFL's personal conduct policy that will likely lead to suspension.

Feb 8

Kirk Cousins • QB • Falcons

Kirk Cousins Expected to Be Released Before New League Year

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected to be released before the start of the new league year in March. Coming off a torn Achilles tendon that ended his six-year tenure in Minnesota, Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta before the 2024 season, only to see the team select Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in that year's draft. Across his 22 starts with the Falcons, Cousins has thrown 28 touchdowns to 21 interceptions, while going 12-10. By releasing him before the new league year, he will have the opportunity to sign with any team of his choosing in 2026, with some speculating that a reunion with the Vikings could be in the cards.

Feb 7

Michael Penix Jr. • QB • Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. Says he's Ahead of Schedule After Knee Surgery

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) said on the Up & Adams Show on Friday that his recovery from knee surgery is a "little bit" ahead of schedule. Penix suffered a torn left ACL in Week 11 against the Carolina Panthers, but he's hoping he'll be ready to roll for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this fall. The 25-year-old has already recovered from two ACL tears in his right knee in college, so he's pretty familiar with the rehab process. He's been attacking his rehab diligently since having surgery on Nov. 25, but there's no guarantee that Penix will be ready for Week 1, making him an extremely volatile QB2 target in fantasy football drafts this fall. Before his knee injury, the former eighth overall pick out of Washington was extremely inconsistent in nine starts in his first year as the full-time starter, completing 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine TDs, and three picks.

Feb 6

Kyle Pitts Sr. • TE • Falcons

Kyle Pitts Sr.'s Future in Atlanta Remains Unclear Despite Encouraging 2025

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. arguably had the best season of his career in 2025, recording 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns on 118 targets across 17 games played. The 25-year-old stepped up for Atlanta late in the season when star Falcons wideout Drake London missed time due to a knee injury and established a good rapport with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. However, heading into 2026, Pitts Sr.'s outlook is in flux. Pitts Sr. is set to hit unrestricted free agency, although Atlanta could look to keep him around via the franchise tag or with a new contract. If he remains with the Falcons, Pitts Sr. will have a new coaching staff around him and will no longer be catching passes from Cousins, who is expected to be released at some point this offseason. Pitts Sr. remains a highly talented player, and his 2025 output may be an indication that he's finally starting to put all the pieces together. However, his track record of inconsistency and uncertain future in Atlanta makes it difficult for fantasy managers to value him heading into 2026 and beyond.

Feb 5

Michael Penix Jr. • QB • Falcons | Matt Ryan • QB

Matt Ryan Not Committing to Michael Penix Jr. as the Starting QB

Atlanta Falcons president of football Matt Ryan was non-committal on Tuesday to Michael Penix Jr. (knee) being the team's starting quarterback in 2026, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Penix suffered a torn left ACL last November and is currently recovering after having surgery. He is expected to be out anywhere from nine to 12 months. The 25-year-old completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions in nine games in 2025 in his first full year as the starter, with the Falcons going 3-6 in his starts. Penix was the eighth overall pick out of Washington in 2024. New head coach Kevin Stefanski has been complimentary of Penix since taking the job, but his health and status as the starter will be a big question mark going into training camp and the start of the 2026 regular season this fall. Penix's fantasy stock is down, and his lengthy injury history -- he's torn his ACL three times -- is a big reason why.

Feb 3

Kirk Cousins • QB • Falcons

Falcons Expected to Release Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins has two years left on his deal, but he's expected to be released in early March after the Falcons restructured his contract so that he'll be owed $68 million if he's on the roster on March 13, according to The Athletic's Josh Kendall. Cousins could be released and re-signed on a less-expensive contract as the Falcons look for insurance at the position behind Michael Penix Jr. (knee). The 37-year-old QB started the final seven games in 2025 after Penix tore his ACL in Week 11. Cousins ranked 37th in the NFL in EPA per dropback and threw for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions in his 10 games (eight starts). Even though new head coach Kevin Stefanski has a previous working relationship with Cousins from their time together with the Vikings in 2019, the feeling is that Atlanta is ready to move on from him this offseason. Penix's recovery this offseason could be the determining factor in whether Atlanta brings Cousins back in 2026.

Jan 29

Bijan Robinson • RB • Falcons

Bijan Robinson's Heavy Workload Expected to Continue Under Kevin Stefanski

The Athletic's Josh Kendall writes that it's clear from new head coach Kevin Stefanski's past that running back Bijan Robinson can "expect his heavy workload to continue" in 2026. Kendall even thinks that Robinson's workload could increase as he enters his fourth year in the NFL. The 23-year-old led the league in scrimmage yards (2,298) in 2025, putting him firmly in the running for the Offensive Player of the Year award. Robinson has been the only player in the league with more than 1,000 combined rushes and receptions since he was drafted eighth overall in 2023. He finished behind only Christian McCaffrey and Jonathan Taylor in half-PPR points last season, carrying the ball 287 times for 1,478 yards and seven touchdowns. Robinson added 79 receptions for 820 yards and four more TDs on 103 targets over 17 games. There's an argument to be made for Robinson being the No. 1 overall pick in 2026 fantasy football drafts.

Jan 29

Michael Penix Jr. • QB • Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. Hopes to be Ready for Week 1

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee), who had ACL reconstruction on his left knee on Nov. 25, is hoping that he'll be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this fall, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta-Journal Consitution. "I've been doing great," Penix said. "Each and every day, just trying to get better. I feel like my confidence has been building." The 25-year-old signal-caller was given a nine- to 12-month timetable at the time of his surgery, the third ACL surgery of his career. There's optimism right now from Penix and the Falcons, but Penix's availability for the start of next season is still very much up in the air. It sounds like new head coach Kevin Stefanski is fully committed to Penix as the team's starter going forward, but his lengthy injury history -- he also suffered two season-ending shoulder injuries in college -- makes him an extremely volatile dynasty asset in fantasy football. In his 14 games (12 starts) in his first two NFL seasons, Penix has completed only 59.6% of his passes for 2,757 yards with 12 TDs and six interceptions.

Jan 29

Michael Penix Jr. • QB • Falcons

Michael Penix Jr. Thinks he'll be Ready by April

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is already doing squats and said he thinks he'll be ready to go by April. Penix had successful surgery to fix a partially torn ACL in his left knee in late November and was expected to be facing a nine-month recovery. It's great news that the 25-year-old is doing well in his recovery, but even if he's ready for the start of the 2026 regular season this fall, it's hard to look past the fact that he's now had three reconstructive knee surgeries and two season-ending shoulder injuries. The Falcons will most likely be doing something to give them a fallback option in case Penix's injury woes continue, especially if they don't retain Kirk Cousins. The 25-year-old was up and down in his second NFL season in 2025 before injuring his knee, completing 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions in only nine starts. Penix will head into Year 3 with only 12 starts under his belt.

Jan 28

Michael Penix Jr. • QB • Falcons

Kevin Stefanski "Very Excited" About Michael Penix Jr.

New Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke to the media on Tuesday about the importance of getting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) back healthy in 2026, per Tori McElhaney of AtlantaFalcons.com. "Michael (Penix) is someone I am very excited about," Stefanski said. Penix suffered a partially torn ACL in his left knee late in the season, putting his availability for the start of the 2026 campaign in question. The 25-year-old signal-caller also tore his right ACL twice in college and suffered season-ending injuries to both of his shoulders before getting to the NFL. While Stefanski and Atlanta's new coaching staff may like what Penix has put on tape early in his career, his long-term durability is a major question mark. The Falcons could move on from veteran Kirk Cousins this offseason, and if they do, they'd need to bring more QB insurance in case Penix isn't ready. The situation in Atlanta is nice for Penix, but his lengthy injury history makes him a risky QB2 in fantasy going into the 2026 season.

Jan 27

Matt Ryan • QB • Falcons

Falcons Hire Matt Ryan as President of Football Operations

The Atlanta Falcons are hiring former star quarterback Matt Ryan to be their new president of football operations, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports. Atlanta created the position specifically for Ryan, who will now have the final say as the Falcons' decision-maker. Falcons owner Arthur Blank spoke highly of the 2016 MVP, saying, "Throughout his remarkable 14-year career in Atlanta, Matt's leadership, attention to detail, knowledge of the game, and unrelenting drive to win made him the most successful player in our franchise's history. I am confident those same qualities will be a tremendous benefit to our organization as he steps into this new role." The Falcons fired general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris after finishing 8-9 in 2025, and Ryan will look to bring the franchise back to the playoffs for the first time since his playing days in 2017.

Jan 10

Kirk Cousins • QB • Falcons

Falcons Restructure Kirk Cousins' Deal

The Atlanta Falcons and quarterback Kirk Cousins agreed to tweak the final two years of the QB's contract on Tuesday, setting the stage for a decision on his future to be made by the third day of the new league year on March 13, a source told ESPN's Field Yates. Cousins now has a guarantee for $67.9 million for the 2027 season that will vest on March 13. The restructure also includes reducing Cousins' 2026 base salary from a non-guaranteed $35 million to just $2.1 million. Atlanta's front office is in flux following the firing of general manager Terry Fontenot on Sunday, but the Falcons could still move on from Cousins before March 13 as a post-June 1 release. A release of that kind would split the dead money on Cousins' contract over 2026 and 2027, as opposed to the team taking on the full amount in 2026. The 37-year-old played in 10 games this season, including starting the final seven following Michael Penix Jr.'s season-ending knee injury. Cousins was serviceable, throwing 10 TDs and five interceptions, but he probably isn't in the team's long-term plans at the position.

Jan 6

Matt Ryan • QB • Falcons

Matt Ryan Being "Strongly Considered" for Front-Office Role in Atlanta

Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports that the Atlanta Falcons are "strongly" considering former quarterback Matt Ryan for a "high-profile" front-office role with the team. Atlanta fired general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris on Sunday after the franchise completed its eighth straight losing season. Ryan quarterbacked the Falcons for 14 seasons from 2008 to 2021, winning an MVP award and leading his team to the Super Bowl in 2016. He has a borderline Hall of Fame resume as a player, throwing for over 60,000 yards and 381 touchdowns across 222 career NFL games. However, Ryan has zero front office experience, working as an analyst for CBS since leaving the NFL at the end of the 2022 season. It's unclear at this time whether Ryan would be the lead decision-maker with the Falcons if he and the team can reach an agreement.

Jan 5

Darnell Mooney • WR • Falcons

Darnell Mooney Active for Regular-Season Finale

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (knee) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New Orleans Saints. He had been listed as questionable after logging back-to-back limited practices. The 28-year-old has failed to meet expectations while occupying the No. 2 wide receiver role for most of this season. He has played 81.8% of the offensive snaps when healthy but has a modest stat line of 29 catches, 423 yards, and one touchdown. Mooney finds himself buried in the pecking order behind Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr. As a result, we expect him to remain off the fantasy radar against the Saints on Sunday. He can be benched in most leagues.

Jan 4

Atlanta Falcons News

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