The Atlanta Falcons raised quite a few eyebrows when it selected Washington’s quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. According to reports, the move also didn’t sit well with their Pro Bowl signal-caller Kirk Cousins.

The Falcons signed Cousins to a massive four-year, $180 million deal this offseason, leading everyone to believe they are off the QB market for the foreseeable future. Cousins himself also believed that, which is why seeing the franchise draft Penix left him “frustrated and confused,” according to his agent Mike McCartney.

In a chat with ESPN’s Pete Thamel, McCartney said that Cousins was only notified about the Falcons’ pick when the team was already on the clock. The veteran’s frustration steams from the fact that Atlanta selected his successor instead of improving the team to compete right now.

McCartney added that Cousins was “surprised” with the selection but understands the business side of football and is “ready to move on. “

Speaking with reports, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said that they have built a winning team in Atlanta. Because of this, the organization believes it won’t have the opportunity to select at the top of the draft for many years, which is why they pounced on the opportunity to take Penix and set themselves for stability at the QB position.

“We’re thinking about the fans. We’re thinking about this organization. We’re going to build a sustained winner. We’re going to win for a long time. That’s the most important position in football,” Fontenot said via ESPN.

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Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who won the NFL Most Valuable Player award in 2016, announced his retirement from professional football.

Ryan signed a one-day deal with the Falcons in order to retire as a member of the franchise. He made the news official through a video statement in which he said that his “childhood dream has officially come to an end.”

“I’m excited to see what’s next, this next chapter of life, and see where that takes us,” Ryan added. “But today, it’s exciting for me because you never have control in this profession of where you’re going to start, and I could not have been luckier that it was a start here in Atlanta, and it went for 14 years, and now I can bookend it and retire as a Falcon today.”

Ryan was drafted third overall by the Falcons in 2008 and went on to play 14 years with the franchise. During that time, he made four Pro Bowls, won the MVP, and led Atlanta to a Super Bowl LI appearance. Ryan also holds almost every Falcons franchise record in the passing category.  

Ahead of the 2022 season, the Falcons traded Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts as they were looking toward a rebuild. Ryan struggled with his new team, going 4-7-1 as a starter, and was eventually released by the Colts at the end of the campaign. He didn’t sign with a team in 2023, opting to join CBS Sports as an analyst.

Ryan is retiring after having posted a 65.6% pass completion percentage with 62,792 passing yards, 381 touchdowns, 183 interceptions, and a 124−109−1 record as a starter.

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Free agent Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins has agreed to a four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. The deal is reportedly worth $180 million and comes with $100 million in guarantees.

The news about Cousins’ agreement with the Falcons was confirmed by the player’s agent, Mike McCartney, on social media.

Cousins spent the last six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, signing with the franchise in 2018. During that time, Cousins made three Pro Bowls while also leading the Vikings to two postseason appearances.

The Vikings reportedly had an interest in retaining Cousins but ended up deciding the price was too high for them. There were concerns about Cousins’ age, as he turns 36 in August, as well as his health, considering that he is returning from an Achilles injury he suffered in 2023.

“After significant and positive dialogue with Kirk and his representatives, we were unable to reach agreement on a contract that fits the short and long-term visions for both Kirk and the Minnesota Vikings,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement shared on Monday.

The Falcons were likely fine with the potential downsides of signing Cousins because it meant acquiring a franchise quarterback they haven’t had since Matt Ryan left in 2021. Atlanta started Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke under center in the past two seasons, but neither has proved to be a long-term solution.

Cousins, who spent the first six seasons in the NFL with Washington, has a 76–67–2 record as a starter. He completed 66.9% of his career passes while throwing for 39,471 yards, 270 touchdowns, and 110 interceptions.

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The Atlanta Falcons have hired Raheem Morris as their new head coach, the team announced on Thursday. This is the first former NFL head coach that owner Arthur Blank has hired for the role in over 20-year tenure.

“This is a historic day for the Atlanta Falcons,” Blank announced. “We are thrilled to welcome Raheem Morris back to Atlanta as the team’s new head coach. … Raheem emerged from a field of excellent candidates and is the right leader to take our team into the future.” Blank explained that he was convinced to hire Morris due to his time as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams over the past three seasons, lifting the Super Bowl trophy in 2021.

Morris was one of several candidates who proceeded to the second round of interviews with the club, along with former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. The Falcons are the only team that Belichick is known to have interviewed with since leaving the Pats following the end of their season. Morris served as the Falcons’ interim head coach in 2020, going 4-7 before the team hired Arthur Blank for the role. Morris previously served as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 until 2011, going 17-31.

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The Atlanta Falcons have interviewed Jim Harbaugh for their vacant head coaching role, the team confirmed on Tuesday. This comes a day after the team sat down with former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

Harbaugh has been the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines since 2015, winning the national championship earlier this month as well as three consecutive Big Ten titles from 2021 through 2023. He has gone 86-25 during his Michigan career, with his team winning at least 12 games in each of the past three seasons.

Prior to arriving at Michigan, Harbaugh coached San Diego, Stanford, and the San Francisco 49ers. He is the seventh candidate to be interviewed for the Falcons’ head coaching position following Arthur Smith’s exit.

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The Atlanta Falcons announced on Monday that they have interviewed former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick for their vacant head coaching position. Belichick and the Patriots mutually agreed to part ways last week, bringing an end to a 23-year tenure for the 71-year-old coach.

Spending 24 of his 29 coaching seasons with the Pats, Belichick led the team to six Super Bowl titles. This includes Super Bowl LI, where Belichick led the Patriots to a 34-28 overtime victory over the Falcons after trailing 28-3. Belichick’s availability comes at an opportune time for the Falcons, who dismissed former coach Arthur Smith after failing to secure a playoff berth.

While this is Belichick’s first interview since leaving his post with the Patriots, the Falcons already interviewed five candidates before him. Belichick will compete for the role with Baltimore assistant head coach Anthony Weave, Carolina defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Cincinnati offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, and San Francisco defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.

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The Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Arthur Smith after missing the playoffs and failing to secure a winning record for a third consecutive season. Initially brought in as an offensive-minded coach, Smith largely disappointed during his three seasons with the Falcons, finishing with a 21-30 record.

“Decisions like this are never easy and they never feel good,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said of the decision to dismiss Smith. “We have profound respect for Coach Smith and appreciate all the hard work and dedication he has put into the Falcons over the last three years. He has been part of building a good culture in our football team, but the results on the field have not met our expectations.” Blank, together with CEO Rich McKay, will begin the search for a new head coach immediately.

Atlanta ended the season with a 7-10 record after slumping to a 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Although they went into the game with an outside chance of clinching the NFC South, they were unable to claw their way back from a 31-0 deficit at halftime.

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The Los Angeles Rams don’t seem to have enough targets to go around for all of their talented wideouts. As a result, former second-round selection Van Jefferson is on his way out of LA.

According to multiple reports, the Rams traded Jefferson to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2025. The deal also includes a 2025 seventh-rounder going to Atlanta.

With Rams’ star wide receiver Cooper Kupp being out for the start of the 2023 campaign, Jefferson was expected to shoulder much of the offensive load at the position. However, it was rookie Puka Nacua and second-year standout Tutu Atwell who actually stepped in to replace Kupp’s production.

Jefferson only made eight receptions for 108 yards this season and was involved in just two plays during the Week 5 clash against the Philadelphia Eagles. There didn’t seem to be an obvious path for him to receive more looks from quarterback Matthew Stafford, as Kupp is healthy while Nacua and Atwell don’t show signs of slowing down.

“You get Cooper back in the mix, and there were just fewer opportunities,” Rams coach Sean McVay said about Jefferson on Tuesday. “Based on how the game unfolded, that was kind of how it went down. If you had asked me before, did I anticipate [Jefferson] playing that few snaps, I would’ve not said that, but that was kind of how it unfolded.”

Jefferson has 101 career receptions for 1,499 yards and 10 TDs since entering the league.

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The Atlanta Falcons have released linebacker Mykal Walker, the team announced on Sunday. The move comes as a surprise, considering that Walker has been the starter for the Falcons last season.

Walker made 107 tackles in 2022 and also had 1.0 sacks, two interceptions, and six pass deflections. His release comes after he played 24 snaps in a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.

The Falcons will now likely proceed with last year’s second-round pick Troy Andersen and veteran Kaden Elliss as starters. They also have second-year linebacker Nate Landman among the options for the position.

Mykal Walker was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Falcons. He played 49 games and had 20 starts with the franchise, totaling 147 tackles, three interceptions, 11 pass deflections, and one defensive touchdown.

Walker is expected to be an attractive option for linebacker-needy teams considering his experience in the NFL and solid production last year.

“I can’t thank the Atlanta Falcons enough been a hell of a 3 years,” Walker wrote on social media after his release became official. “Allowed me to achieve my dreams, I’ve meet brothers for life, and brought my son into this world. My journey is far from over excited for what comes next!

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The Atlanta Falcons keep making an addition to their defense. According to multiple reports, the Falcons just signed veteran linebacker Bud Dupree to a one-year deal.

NFL Network’s insider Ian Rapoport reported that Dupree, who previously played with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans, received a contract that is worth “up to $5 million.” 

Dupree joins a lengthy list of addition the Falcons made on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. The team either signed or traded for nine defensive players, including All-Pro safety Jessie Bates, veteran defensive end Calais Campbell, and talented corner Jeff Okudah.

Bud Dupree spent the first six years of his NFL career with the Steelers before signing a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Titans in 2021. Despite being expected to be a standout contributor in Tennessee, Dupree’s time with the Titans went poorly. Injuries have limited him to 22 games in two years, while he only managed 35 tackles and 7.0 sacks.

Dupree was released by the Titans in March in what was one of the first major moves by new general manager Ran Carthon. The 30-year-old was linked with several teams since then, with a return to the Steelers rumored to be on the table.

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The Atlanta Falcons raised quite a few eyebrows when it selected Washington’s quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. According to reports, the move also didn’t sit well with their Pro Bowl signal-caller Kirk Cousins.

The Falcons signed Cousins to a massive four-year, $180 million deal this offseason, leading everyone to believe they are off the QB market for the foreseeable future. Cousins himself also believed that, which is why seeing the franchise draft Penix left him “frustrated and confused,” according to his agent Mike McCartney.

In a chat with ESPN’s Pete Thamel, McCartney said that Cousins was only notified about the Falcons’ pick when the team was already on the clock. The veteran’s frustration steams from the fact that Atlanta selected his successor instead of improving the team to compete right now.

McCartney added that Cousins was “surprised” with the selection but understands the business side of football and is “ready to move on. “

Speaking with reports, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said that they have built a winning team in Atlanta. Because of this, the organization believes it won’t have the opportunity to select at the top of the draft for many years, which is why they pounced on the opportunity to take Penix and set themselves for stability at the QB position.

“We’re thinking about the fans. We’re thinking about this organization. We’re going to build a sustained winner. We’re going to win for a long time. That’s the most important position in football,” Fontenot said via ESPN.

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Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who won the NFL Most Valuable Player award in 2016, announced his retirement from professional football.

Ryan signed a one-day deal with the Falcons in order to retire as a member of the franchise. He made the news official through a video statement in which he said that his “childhood dream has officially come to an end.”

“I’m excited to see what’s next, this next chapter of life, and see where that takes us,” Ryan added. “But today, it’s exciting for me because you never have control in this profession of where you’re going to start, and I could not have been luckier that it was a start here in Atlanta, and it went for 14 years, and now I can bookend it and retire as a Falcon today.”

Ryan was drafted third overall by the Falcons in 2008 and went on to play 14 years with the franchise. During that time, he made four Pro Bowls, won the MVP, and led Atlanta to a Super Bowl LI appearance. Ryan also holds almost every Falcons franchise record in the passing category.  

Ahead of the 2022 season, the Falcons traded Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts as they were looking toward a rebuild. Ryan struggled with his new team, going 4-7-1 as a starter, and was eventually released by the Colts at the end of the campaign. He didn’t sign with a team in 2023, opting to join CBS Sports as an analyst.

Ryan is retiring after having posted a 65.6% pass completion percentage with 62,792 passing yards, 381 touchdowns, 183 interceptions, and a 124−109−1 record as a starter.

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Free agent Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins has agreed to a four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. The deal is reportedly worth $180 million and comes with $100 million in guarantees.

The news about Cousins’ agreement with the Falcons was confirmed by the player’s agent, Mike McCartney, on social media.

Cousins spent the last six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, signing with the franchise in 2018. During that time, Cousins made three Pro Bowls while also leading the Vikings to two postseason appearances.

The Vikings reportedly had an interest in retaining Cousins but ended up deciding the price was too high for them. There were concerns about Cousins’ age, as he turns 36 in August, as well as his health, considering that he is returning from an Achilles injury he suffered in 2023.

“After significant and positive dialogue with Kirk and his representatives, we were unable to reach agreement on a contract that fits the short and long-term visions for both Kirk and the Minnesota Vikings,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement shared on Monday.

The Falcons were likely fine with the potential downsides of signing Cousins because it meant acquiring a franchise quarterback they haven’t had since Matt Ryan left in 2021. Atlanta started Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke under center in the past two seasons, but neither has proved to be a long-term solution.

Cousins, who spent the first six seasons in the NFL with Washington, has a 76–67–2 record as a starter. He completed 66.9% of his career passes while throwing for 39,471 yards, 270 touchdowns, and 110 interceptions.

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The Atlanta Falcons have hired Raheem Morris as their new head coach, the team announced on Thursday. This is the first former NFL head coach that owner Arthur Blank has hired for the role in over 20-year tenure.

“This is a historic day for the Atlanta Falcons,” Blank announced. “We are thrilled to welcome Raheem Morris back to Atlanta as the team’s new head coach. … Raheem emerged from a field of excellent candidates and is the right leader to take our team into the future.” Blank explained that he was convinced to hire Morris due to his time as defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams over the past three seasons, lifting the Super Bowl trophy in 2021.

Morris was one of several candidates who proceeded to the second round of interviews with the club, along with former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. The Falcons are the only team that Belichick is known to have interviewed with since leaving the Pats following the end of their season. Morris served as the Falcons’ interim head coach in 2020, going 4-7 before the team hired Arthur Blank for the role. Morris previously served as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 until 2011, going 17-31.

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The Atlanta Falcons have interviewed Jim Harbaugh for their vacant head coaching role, the team confirmed on Tuesday. This comes a day after the team sat down with former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

Harbaugh has been the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines since 2015, winning the national championship earlier this month as well as three consecutive Big Ten titles from 2021 through 2023. He has gone 86-25 during his Michigan career, with his team winning at least 12 games in each of the past three seasons.

Prior to arriving at Michigan, Harbaugh coached San Diego, Stanford, and the San Francisco 49ers. He is the seventh candidate to be interviewed for the Falcons’ head coaching position following Arthur Smith’s exit.

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The Atlanta Falcons announced on Monday that they have interviewed former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick for their vacant head coaching position. Belichick and the Patriots mutually agreed to part ways last week, bringing an end to a 23-year tenure for the 71-year-old coach.

Spending 24 of his 29 coaching seasons with the Pats, Belichick led the team to six Super Bowl titles. This includes Super Bowl LI, where Belichick led the Patriots to a 34-28 overtime victory over the Falcons after trailing 28-3. Belichick’s availability comes at an opportune time for the Falcons, who dismissed former coach Arthur Smith after failing to secure a playoff berth.

While this is Belichick’s first interview since leaving his post with the Patriots, the Falcons already interviewed five candidates before him. Belichick will compete for the role with Baltimore assistant head coach Anthony Weave, Carolina defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Cincinnati offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, and San Francisco defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.

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The Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Arthur Smith after missing the playoffs and failing to secure a winning record for a third consecutive season. Initially brought in as an offensive-minded coach, Smith largely disappointed during his three seasons with the Falcons, finishing with a 21-30 record.

“Decisions like this are never easy and they never feel good,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said of the decision to dismiss Smith. “We have profound respect for Coach Smith and appreciate all the hard work and dedication he has put into the Falcons over the last three years. He has been part of building a good culture in our football team, but the results on the field have not met our expectations.” Blank, together with CEO Rich McKay, will begin the search for a new head coach immediately.

Atlanta ended the season with a 7-10 record after slumping to a 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Although they went into the game with an outside chance of clinching the NFC South, they were unable to claw their way back from a 31-0 deficit at halftime.

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The Los Angeles Rams don’t seem to have enough targets to go around for all of their talented wideouts. As a result, former second-round selection Van Jefferson is on his way out of LA.

According to multiple reports, the Rams traded Jefferson to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2025. The deal also includes a 2025 seventh-rounder going to Atlanta.

With Rams’ star wide receiver Cooper Kupp being out for the start of the 2023 campaign, Jefferson was expected to shoulder much of the offensive load at the position. However, it was rookie Puka Nacua and second-year standout Tutu Atwell who actually stepped in to replace Kupp’s production.

Jefferson only made eight receptions for 108 yards this season and was involved in just two plays during the Week 5 clash against the Philadelphia Eagles. There didn’t seem to be an obvious path for him to receive more looks from quarterback Matthew Stafford, as Kupp is healthy while Nacua and Atwell don’t show signs of slowing down.

“You get Cooper back in the mix, and there were just fewer opportunities,” Rams coach Sean McVay said about Jefferson on Tuesday. “Based on how the game unfolded, that was kind of how it went down. If you had asked me before, did I anticipate [Jefferson] playing that few snaps, I would’ve not said that, but that was kind of how it unfolded.”

Jefferson has 101 career receptions for 1,499 yards and 10 TDs since entering the league.

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The Atlanta Falcons have released linebacker Mykal Walker, the team announced on Sunday. The move comes as a surprise, considering that Walker has been the starter for the Falcons last season.

Walker made 107 tackles in 2022 and also had 1.0 sacks, two interceptions, and six pass deflections. His release comes after he played 24 snaps in a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.

The Falcons will now likely proceed with last year’s second-round pick Troy Andersen and veteran Kaden Elliss as starters. They also have second-year linebacker Nate Landman among the options for the position.

Mykal Walker was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Falcons. He played 49 games and had 20 starts with the franchise, totaling 147 tackles, three interceptions, 11 pass deflections, and one defensive touchdown.

Walker is expected to be an attractive option for linebacker-needy teams considering his experience in the NFL and solid production last year.

“I can’t thank the Atlanta Falcons enough been a hell of a 3 years,” Walker wrote on social media after his release became official. “Allowed me to achieve my dreams, I’ve meet brothers for life, and brought my son into this world. My journey is far from over excited for what comes next!

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The Atlanta Falcons keep making an addition to their defense. According to multiple reports, the Falcons just signed veteran linebacker Bud Dupree to a one-year deal.

NFL Network’s insider Ian Rapoport reported that Dupree, who previously played with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans, received a contract that is worth “up to $5 million.” 

Dupree joins a lengthy list of addition the Falcons made on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. The team either signed or traded for nine defensive players, including All-Pro safety Jessie Bates, veteran defensive end Calais Campbell, and talented corner Jeff Okudah.

Bud Dupree spent the first six years of his NFL career with the Steelers before signing a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Titans in 2021. Despite being expected to be a standout contributor in Tennessee, Dupree’s time with the Titans went poorly. Injuries have limited him to 22 games in two years, while he only managed 35 tackles and 7.0 sacks.

Dupree was released by the Titans in March in what was one of the first major moves by new general manager Ran Carthon. The 30-year-old was linked with several teams since then, with a return to the Steelers rumored to be on the table.

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