The Atlanta Falcons have been a team that’s perennially under .500, winning seven games in five of their last seven seasons.
The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and the Falcons have been searching for a franchise quarterback to replace Matt Ryan since his last game was played in 2021.
Last offseason, the Falcons’ brass thought they found a good bridge quarterback in Kirk Cousins to lead the franchise. In a shocking signing, Atlanta signed Cousins to a four-year $180 million contract on March 11th of 2024. The contract included a guaranteed signing bonus of $50 million and roster bonuses of $10 million in 2026 and 2027 and a fully guaranteed salary in 2024 and 2025.
The Falcons got off to a good start under Cousins, going 6-3 to begin the year. Cousins then fell from grace, losing five straight, prompting the Falcons to see what they had in the 8th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Michael Penix Jr.
The Falcons drafted Penix last year with the intent that he could be the Falcons’ long-term solution quarterback. Heading into the 2025 season, the Falcons are now hoping for Penix to be the franchise quarterback they have been so desperately searching for.
Penix showed flashes of being the guy at quarterback, especially in a duel in Washington against the Commanders and Rookie of the Year quarterback Jayden Daniels. Penix pushed Daniels and the Commanders to overtime in a thriller that Washington eventually won 30-24. Despite the loss, this gave Falcons owner Arthur Blank hope that Penix could be the answer.
As Penix heads into his sophomore campaign, he’ll be tasked with conquering the NFC South, something Atlanta hasn’t done since 2016.
How The Atlanta Falcons Can Win The NFC South: Keys to Success
If second-year quarterback Michael Penix can take a step forward in 2025, the Falcons can challenge the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South title.
Per NFL.com, the Atlanta Falcons received a B- for their five draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. They most notably added defensive end Jalon Walker from the University of Georgia with the 15th pick and another edge defender in Tennessee standout James Pearce Jr. late in the first round to bolster the pass rush.
A young quarterback’s best friend is a running game. Pro Bowl running back Bijan Robinson was selected 8th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft; he is a threat in the running game and passing game, keeping defenses honest and forcing defensive coordinators to walk a safety up into the box to stop him, in turn opening up the passing game.
A player on the trading block is the physically gifted but underachieving Kyle Pitts. If the Falcons decide to keep Pitts, look for the former 4th overall pick to finally live up to his potential with Penix, who will get Pitts the football in advantageous situations.
Raheem Morris, the Falcons’ head coach, has his specialty on the defensive side of the ball. If both Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. can get off to a fast start, getting after the quarterback, Morris’s defense will be vastly improved, and the Falcons could challenge the Buccaneers for the NFC South, making it a real race for the division crown.
