FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Falcons News Now is your home base for everything happening in and around Flowery Branch, even when the games aren't on the schedule.
The offseason is where Sundays are built, and each week we bring you a clear-eyed look at how the Falcons are shaping the future: roster decisions, contract moves, draft buzz, coaching priorities and the players working to earn their next opportunity.
From front-office strategy and practice intel to emerging storylines and long-term vision, this isn't just a recap of headlines — it's context for what's coming next in Atlanta.
If it matters inside this building, it belongs here.
So if you eat, sleep, and breathe Falcons football, this is your inside edge all year long. Every move, every trend, every storyline, all in one place.
The News, Now
Key developments across the organization, from the front office to the coaching staff and everything in between
One of the most exciting pieces of news to come out of the week involved the announcement of where the Falcons will hold their 2026 international game: Madrid, Spain.
This is a continuation of the league's effort to grow the game internationally. In fact, earlier this month the league reached a multi-year deal to remain playing at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
The first NFL regular-season game in Spain was played at the Bernabéu in November of last season. The Miami Dolphins beat the Washington Commanders, 16-13, in overtime. The final count of total attendance at the Bernabéu that day was 78,610.
"The passion for the NFL in Spain is at an all‑time high, and welcoming the Atlanta Falcons to Madrid for a regular‑season game is a historic moment for our growing fanbase," NFL Country Manager Rafa de los Santos said. "I'm sure the Falcons will enjoy competing in such an iconic stadium as the Bernabéu, in one of the world's great sporting capitals, Madrid, and that fans will once again experience firsthand the intensity, speed, and talent that make the NFL unique."
Returning from the NFL Scouting Combine last week, Will McFadden compiled a list of 13 players who stood out during the on-field workouts, based on the Falcons' needs this offseason. A few players spotlighted were WR Deion Burks from Oklahoma, LB Sonny Styles from Ohio State and OT Monroe Freeling from Georgia.
McFadden also highlighted the wide receiver position, and how it is one in which the Falcons could work to fortify this offseason. How the Falcons choose to do so could give an early clue as to Atlanta's offseason approach to roster building.
"It's a premium position," general manager Ian Cunningham said. "I feel like at this event it's my job to look at every single position, but definitely going to make sure we evaluate the receivers as well."
Tori McElhaney, meanwhile, noted what the national media consensus was about the Falcons' quarterback position in 2026. As Cunningham announced at the combine, the Falcons are set to release Kirk Cousins at the start of the new league year next week. Michael Penix Jr. is actively recovering from ACL surgery in November. The consensus amongst media at the combine was pretty airtight. All agreed the Falcons needed to insulate the quarterback position in 2026. How the organization does that, however, was up for debate.
Regardless of what the Falcons ultimately decide to do in their quarterback room, head coach Kevin Stefanski was adamant that there needs to be one clear vision and voice, from top to bottom.
"When you're in that quarterback room, you want to make sure that the voice is singular," Stefanski said. "Even though it may be multiple people, the voice and what you're telling the player is singular. … That's part of the benefit of having Tommy Reese, having Alex Van Pelk, these are guys that I've coached with, guys that I believe what they believe. We're all speaking the same language."
There was some pretty big Falcons-adjacent news that broke this week, with former Falcons center Drew Dalman informing his current team — the Chicago Bears — his plans to retire after five seasons.
Dalman was drafted by the Falcons in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He started 40 games for Atlanta on his rookie deal before signing with the Bears last offseason as a free agent. Dalman was a part of a 2025 Bears offensive line that The Athletic Bears reporter Kevin Fishbain said reinforced Cunningham's "building through the trenches" roster construction philosophy.
"The 2025 Bears probably validated what Ian would tell anybody, which is it starts in the trenches," Fishbain continued. "That offensive line was so good this past year, and it was the best Bears season we have seen in a long time."
Fan Zone Highlights
Tweets, videos and podcasts you may have missed
In the Nest
Behind-the-scenes stories, locker room insight into team culture
In his first days on the job, Cunningham united Atlanta's coordinators and scouts around clear priorities: identify dominant traits, communicate constantly and build with purpose. He did so in a meeting that set the tone and foundation for the Falcons' 2026 offseason.
"If there wasn't a time limit," Stefanski said, "they would still be going."
Offseason Intel
Upcoming important dates and information
Mock Draft Season is already in full swing. With the combine over and done with, more individuals are putting their first mocks together. Will McFadden compiled some of the newest predictions together in the first of many Mock Draft Trackers. This week, analysts' eyes were on the defensive tackle position.
Meanwhile, the early negotiation period for free agency begins at 12 p.m. ET on March 9, and ends at 4 p.m. ET on March 11.
Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2025 player contracts at 4 p.m. ET on March 12.
We'll keep you up to date on all the free agency happenings as they happen here on AtlantaFalcons.com.
