hawaiitribune_herald
The Atlanta Falcons officially begin the Kevin Stefanski era this week, with veterans reporting to training camp on Tuesday and the first full team practice scheduled for Wednesday. Rookies reported Friday, setting the stage for a camp that will answer many questions about the team's direction.
Here are the five most compelling storylines to watch as the Falcons take the field.
Quarterback Competition
The primary question is whether Michael Penix Jr. will be cleared for full participation. Penix, the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft, was limited to seven-on-seven drills during the spring as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered on Nov. 16. While Penix expressed optimism about being a full participant on day one, Stefanski stopped short of confirming that. Penix is competing with six-year veteran Tua Tagovailoa, who signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract after being released by the Dolphins. Tagovailoa is vying to unseat Penix, who held the starting job before his injury. “The competition has been nothing but good since he got here,” Penix said. “We know we're in a competition, but we're on the same team and have the same goals, and that's to win games.” Since trading Matt Ryan after the 2021 season, the Falcons have started five different quarterbacks: Desmond Ridder, Marcus Mariota, Taylor Heinicke, Kirk Cousins, and Penix. Notably, Ryan was hired in the offseason as Atlanta's president of football.
James Pearce Jr.'s Status
Second-year edge rusher James Pearce Jr. is expected to participate in camp despite facing three felony charges in Florida following a February domestic dispute with his former girlfriend. Pearce skipped voluntary workouts but attended a mandatory minicamp in June. He is enrolled in a 12-month pretrial intervention program that could lead to dismissal of the charges, but the NFL may still impose a suspension under its personal-conduct policy. Pearce finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting last season after leading all rookies and the Falcons with 10.5 sacks. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said, “We'll see if we've got a guy here who can replace that role. I'm excited about the guys that we have, whether it be Samson (Ebukam) or Bralen (Trice). There are countless guys, like Azeez (Ojulari), and we'll see what they can do collectively.”
New Right Side of the Line
For the second straight year, the Falcons are changing at right tackle. Kaleb McGary, the 31st pick in the 2019 draft who started 92 games from 2019 to 2024, retired in the offseason after missing the 2025 season due to a knee injury. Last year's fill-in, Elijah Wilkinson, left in free agency. Now Atlanta turns to Jawaan Taylor, selected four spots after McGary in the 2019 draft. Taylor has started 120 games for the Jaguars and Chiefs over seven seasons, including nine playoff games. He signed a one-year, $5 million deal in April but sat out the spring with a leg injury; he is expected to be ready for camp. Two months after adding Taylor, the Falcons traded for Wanya Morris, Taylor's backup in Kansas City for the last three seasons. Morris was a third-round pick in 2023.
Wide Receiver Depth
Beyond Drake London, the Falcons' nine other wide receivers have a combined 317 catches over 16 NFL seasons. Free-agent additions Olamide Zaccheaus (188 catches in seven years) and Jahan Dotson (121 in four years) are expected to start alongside London. Third-round draft pick Zachariah Branch could push for a starting role with a strong camp. After that, Chris Blair (one catch in three seasons) and Dylan Drummond (seven catches in two seasons) have the most experience. UDFAs Vinny Anthony II, Keelan Marion, LeMeke Brockington, and free agent Antwane Wells Jr. round out the roster, but general manager Ian Cunningham will continue to scan the league for reinforcements.
Health and Return to Action
The first few days of camp will clarify who is healthy. Several players—including Taylor, safety Xavier Watts, and fourth-round linebacker Kendal Daniels—sat out the spring with minor injuries but are expected to return. Of greater interest are cornerback Billy Bowman, who suffered a torn Achilles in November and was held out all spring, and linebackers JD Bertrand and Troy Andersen. Bertrand, a fifth-round pick in 2024 who started two games last year, faces a tough path to the 53-man roster after the Falcons added four linebackers. Andersen, a second-round pick in 2022, hasn't played since Week 14 of the 2024 season due to a concussion, torn pectoral, and knee issues. He has started 11 games in three years but must prove his health to secure a roster spot.
Originally reported by hawaiitribune_herald.