For the Atlanta Falcons, the 2024 season began with soaring optimism but ended in bitter disappointment, punctuated by a surprise bombshell from veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. Now, with Cousins likely on his way out and a defense in need of reinforcements, general manager Terry Fontenot faces a pivotal offseason that will chart the Falcons’ course for years to come.
The Cousins Conundrum
When the Falcons signed Cousins to a lucrative free agent deal last March, they envisioned the former Pro Bowler stabilizing the quarterback position and leading a young roster back to the playoffs. Early on, it looked like a perfect match. Cousins shined during a 6-3 start, twice outdueling Tom Brady as Atlanta seized control of the NFC South.
But the honeymoon proved short-lived. Cousins’ play cratered during an ugly four-game November skid that saw him toss nine interceptions against a single touchdown. Sensing the season slipping away, coach Arthur Smith made the drastic decision to bench his $90 million quarterback in favor of first-round pick Michael Penix Jr.
While Penix flashed promise down the stretch, a sputtering Falcons offense and porous defense doomed Atlanta to a 8-9 finish, out of the playoffs for a fifth straight year. The real gut punch, though, came last week when Cousins revealed he had secretly been playing through an arm injury that hampered his performance over the season’s second half.
I took a hit against the Saints in Week 10 and hurt my shoulder and elbow. I tried to play through it but could never get back to where I was those first nine weeks.
Kirk Cousins revealing his injury on NFL Network
Cousins’ revelation, which contradicts his own denials and those of the Falcons, throws his future in Atlanta into serious doubt. With $65 million in dead cap looming, a trade seems unlikely. Expect Fontenot to simply cut bait, handing Penix the keys to the franchise.
Reviving a Dormant Pass Rush
While the quarterback quandary dominated headlines, Atlanta’s quietly regressing defense proved just as culpable in the team’s second-half swoon. After a solid start, Dean Pees’ unit surrendered the third-highest pass EPA and opponent completion percentage over the season’s final eight weeks. The main culprit? A toothless pass rush that rarely sniffed opposing quarterbacks.
With cap space limited, Fontenot may need to get creative to land a true difference-maker off the edge. Myles Garrett has requested a trade out of Cleveland, while the Bengals seem poised to move on from Trey Hendrickson. Either would provide a massive upgrade, but the cost in draft picks and cap maneuvering figures to be high.
Expect Atlanta to also target the position early in April’s draft. Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr., Marshall’s Mike Green and fast-rising Shemar Stewart out of Texas A&M all fit the Falcons’ physical prototype and would bring much-needed speed and power to an anemic front four.
Locking Up the Line’s Lynchpin
While most of the roster remains in flux, the Falcons’ sturdy offensive line returns largely intact – with one critical exception. Center Drew Dalman, the line’s cerebral leader, is set to hit free agency after anchoring one of the league’s most consistent fronts over the past three seasons.
Dalman’s value was never more apparent than during an eight-game absence due to a high ankle sprain. In the six games before Dalman went down, dynamic running back Bijan Robinson averaged a robust 4.7 yards per carry. Upon the center’s Week 13 return, Robinson’s productivity surged to 6.1 yards per tote, tops in the NFL.
At 26, Dalman should be entering his prime. With stalwart Chris Lindstrom already locked up long-term at right guard, re-signing Dalman would ensure stability and cohesion up front as Penix acclimates to the starting role. It’s an investment Atlanta can ill afford not to make.
Shoring Up the Secondary
While breakdowns up front drew most of the blame, Atlanta’s secondary also regressed precipitously after a stingy start. All-Pro corner A.J. Terrell delivered another dominant campaign, but the rest of the defensive backfield sprung leaks against top passing attacks.
Veteran safety Jessie Bates III remains one of the league’s rangiest playmakers on the back end. Terrell, though, needs a more consistent running mate on the boundary. The Falcons seem likely to target corner with their second first-round selection or a Day 2 pick.
Fontenot could also look to beef up the position in free agency. Nate Hobbs of the Raiders, who thrived both outside and in the slot with Vegas, would bring valued versatility. Incumbents Mike Hughes and Dee Alford both had their moments in 2024 but profile more as rotational depth than full-time starters.
The Road Ahead
A year ago, the Falcons entered the offseason riding a wave of hope and optimism. By betting big on a veteran quarterback and young core, Fontenot and Smith seemed to be accelerating the franchise’s rebuild and positioning Atlanta for a return to postseason contention.
Instead, an ill-fated Cousins experiment and defensive regression have the Falcons again searching for answers. How Fontenot navigates a precarious cap sheet and pivotal draft will determine whether 2024 proves a mere speedbump or sign of deeper rot.
The process starts with decisively moving on from Cousins and empowering Penix as the unquestioned starter. It hinges on finding a fearsome pass rusher to spark a flagging defense, and on reinforcing a secondary in need of depth and playmaking. And it demands investing in Dalman, Lindstrom and an offensive line that paved the way for the league’s most punishing ground game.
After five years wandering the playoff wilderness, these Falcons stand at a crossroads. What looked like a smooth road back to relevance now feels more perilous than ever. How Fontenot and his staff navigate the next three months will determine whether Atlanta flies out of this malaise, or remains stuck in neutral, a team built to win now watching its window slam shut.
