After finishing 7-10 for the third straight season, the Falcons knew it was time for a change. The team hired a new head coach in Raheem Morris and signed a veteran quarterback in Kirk Cousins to begin the offseason.
Along with a new head coach, the Falcons will have new offensive and defensive coordinators in Zac Robinson and Jimmy Lake – both coming with Morris from the Rams.
And despite drafting Michael Penix Jr. No. 8 overall, Atlanta is still looking to make a playoff run in what should be a wide-open division. With a young core of playmakers such as Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts surrounding their new quarterback, the Falcons are looking to reclaim the NFC South title for the first time since 2016.
The new-look Falcons will visit Lincoln Financial Field in Week 2 on Monday Night Football.
Quick Stats
2023 record: 7-10 (3rd in NFC South)
Key additions: Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney, Charlie Woerner
Key losses: Jonnu Smith, Jeff Okudah, Matt Hennessy, Cordarrelle Patterson, Desmond Ridder
Top draft picks: QB Michael Penix Jr. (Round 1, Pick 8), DT Ruke Orhorhoro (Round 2, Pick 35), OLB Bralen Trice (Round 3, Pick 74)
Here is what to look out for in Training Camp for Atlanta, as told by D. Orlando Ledbetter, Falcons beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
1. What are some of the top storylines for the Falcons during Training Camp?
"Of course, the top two here, you know, Kirk Cousins, is he going to be healthy? And then, Grady Jarrett on the defensive side. You know, they're both coming back from season-ending injuries and they're veterans over 35 (years old)," Ledbetter said. "That transforms your team if both of those guys are healthy.
"Offensively, the utilization of Bijan Robinson and if he can help you to diversify the attack with his running and catching out of the backfield. And then the passing game, they have Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Darnell Mooney, a free agent, but the big thing in the offseason has been Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson saying that they're going to play Kyle Pitts at wide receiver. They're teaching him both spots and Tight Ends Coach Kevin Koger said they want to see him play fast like he did his rookie year under (former quarterback) Matt Ryan."
2. What are the expectations and the dynamic for Zac Robinson and Jimmy Lake going to look like?
"Neither one of them has called a play in the NFL, so it's really hard to, say, 'Hey, we'll have them call it.' So, what you do is look at who they've been under. And so, Zac (Robinson) has been under Sean McVay and Kevin O'Connell. They're talking a lot about (Kyle) Shanahan, who was here with Raheem (Morris) under the Dan Quinn era. So, they're gonna try to diversify the running game, and we'll just have to see how he calls it.
"Jimmy Lake, he was, you know, pretty good at (University of) Washington. He's a defensive back coach by trade. My people told me he was really aggressive, he had some good cornerbacks coming out of there (Washington)."
3. Where do you think this team stands competitively going into the season? Are they in the direction of a playoff push or more of a rebuild/retool?
"They think they can do both. They've had six consecutive losing seasons; they need to stop that first. The division's up for grabs like it has been the last three years, but Tampa Bay has been able to claim it and has to be considered the favorite.
"The Falcons, they think they got enough talent, they've been amassing it, but they haven't been able to put it together and make it equal wins. So, you know, getting a new coach in here, can you get off that treadmill of, being good enough one week and then not so good the next?
"So, Raheem (Morris) will be expected to have them play at a consistent level and then, you know, maybe you'll have a shot to stop the losing streak and get to the playoffs. I think they know it's not a championship roster, but they can get to the playoffs out of this division." – Compiled by Liam Wichser
