The Falcons finished their 2025 campaign with an 8–9 record, missing out on a postseason run after being caught in a tight, three-way split atop the division.At their best, the offense ran through Bijan Robinson, who finally was unleashed a bit and put together an elite dual-threat season with over 2,000 scrimmage yards to keep Atlanta competitive week in and week out.
At their worst, a cloud of quarterback instability overshadowed the season.Kirk Cousins began the year as the starter before losing the job, and just as Michael Penix Jr.
began showing flashes of dynamic starter capability, a late-season injury sidelined him and forced Atlanta to shuffle back to Cousins.The defense turned in gritty performances early, but secondary depth issues and late-game stalls cost them crucial divisional matchups.ATLANTA FALCONS 2026 BETTING PREVIEW: LIMITED UPGRADES HAS NEW HEAD COACH KEVIN STEFANSKI FACING A STEEP CLIMBAtlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
(9) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Monday, Oct.13, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia.
(AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)To reset the culture and offensive structure, Atlanta made a splash by bringing in former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.The front office then signaled a full pivot to the future by cutting Kirk Cousins with a post-June 1 designation in March, officially turning the keys over to Penix.RAIDERS NEW HEAD COACH KLINT KUBIAK NAMES KIRK COUSINS STARTING QB OVER NO.
1 PICK FERNANDO MENDOZATo reinforce the roster, Atlanta brought in veteran presence across the board.They added Tua Tagovailoa as high-end quarterback insurance, signed running back Brian Robinson Jr.
to partner with Bijan out of the backfield, and added pass-catching depth with wide receivers Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus alongside veteran tight end Austin Hooper.On defense, the Falcons signed pass rushers Samson Ebukam and Azeez Ojulari while acquiring safety Sydney Brown via trade.
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