Falcons Are Playing with Fire, Not Fixing the Real Problems
The Atlanta Falcons' 2026 offseason has been, well, *something*. Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris are certainly making moves, but whether they're the *right* moves is another question entirely. After a disappointing 7-10 finish in 2025, where the offense sputtered to 18.9 points per game, you'd expect a clear direction. We're not seeing it.
Quarterback Carousel Continues
Let's start with the elephant in the room: quarterback. Desmond Ridder, bless his heart, just isn't the answer. His 12 touchdowns to 12 interceptions last season cemented that. So, what did the Falcons do? They signed veteran Marcus Mariota to a two-year, $10 million deal. Mariota's last significant starting role was in 2022 with Atlanta, where he went 5-8 as a starter before getting benched for Ridder. It's a reunion nobody asked for. The hope is he's a bridge, but to what? The 2026 NFL Draft is still months away, and Atlanta holds the No. 10 pick. There are whispers they're looking at a trade up for a prospect, but after the Mariota signing, that feels less likely. They also brought back Taylor Heinicke on a one-year, $3 million pact. It feels like they're just shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic rather than finding a new ship.
Defensive Reinforcements, Sort Of
On defense, the Falcons have been more active, though not necessarily with blockbuster signings. They re-signed defensive end Lorenzo Carter to a two-year, $8 million deal. Carter managed 4.5 sacks in 2025, a solid but unspectacular number. The big splash, if you can call it that, was bringing in veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore on a one-year, $7 million contract. Gilmore, at 35, is still a savvy player, but he’s not the shutdown corner he was during his DPOY season in 2019 with the Patriots. He’ll provide leadership, sure, but his speed isn't what it once was. The Falcons’ pass defense ranked 23rd in the league last year, giving up 238 yards per game. Gilmore helps, but he doesn't fix it. They also extended safety Jessie Bates III through 2028, adding $12 million in guarantees to his existing deal. Bates was a bright spot, leading the team with 4 interceptions in 2025. That's a good move, keeping a proven playmaker.
Unaddressed Needs and a Risky Strategy
Here's the thing: while they've made some additions, the Falcons haven't truly addressed their core issues. Offensive line depth remains a concern, especially at guard. They lost Chris Lindstrom for three games last season, and the drop-off was noticeable. They also haven't added a legitimate number two receiver to complement Drake London, who had 98 catches for 1,200 yards in 2025. Mack Hollins and Scotty Miller are fine, but they aren't moving the needle. The strategy seems to be "run it back" with slightly different, aging parts, hoping a new coaching staff can magically fix the existing personnel. That's a dangerous game.
My hot take? The Falcons will regret passing on a high-upside quarterback in the draft, settling for the Mariota-Heinicke tandem. They’ll win 6 games in 2026, and the cycle of mediocrity will continue.