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
The Atlanta Falcons held initial press conferences for new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, retained defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and new special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman Wednesday afternoon at the Falcons' facility.
All three men detailed their coaching philosophies, scheme evolutions as well as their overall (and ongoing) evaluation of the units they now lead.
She also sat down with all three individuals to go a little deeper into their histories and how they're looking at the 2026 offseason ahead.
In other coaching news, the Falcons are continuing to fill out their coaching staff around new head coach Kevin Stefanski.
The organization made a flurry of moves just this week:
- Retained Barrett Ruud as inside linebackers coach
- Retained and promoted John Timu to outside linebackers coach
- Hired Ricky Manning as the assistant defensive back/nickels coach
- Hired LaTroy Lewis as an assistant defensive line coach
- Hired Chase Blackburn as an assistant special teams coach
You can read more about these men on our Falcons Staff Tracker, which is updated as official hires are made.
Fan Zone Highlights
Tweets, videos and podcasts you may have missed
In the Nest
Behind-the-scenes stories, locker room insight into team culture
New general manager Ian Cunningham has stated his team-building blueprint, saying in his introductory press conference last week that the Falcons will build through the trenches.
Interestingly enough, the most recent Super Bowl illustrated exactly why that approach fits the modern NFL, as the Seattle Seahawks dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Offseason Intel
Upcoming important dates and information
The offseason is about to begin in earnest very soon. Next Tuesday, Feb. 17, teams may designate players to receive the franchise or transition tag. The deadline to tag a player is 4 p.m. ET on March 3. This is in an important activation for Kyle Pitts, who is a candidate to receive this type of tag.
As stated in our free agency list, the franchise tag cost for a tight end is just north of $16 million this offseason, according to Spotrac. As a franchise, the Falcons have only used a franchise tag on three individuals: punter Michael Koenen (2009), cornerback Brent Grimes (2012) and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (2019). The Falcons have until March 3 to make a decision about whether or not to extend the tag to Pitts.
Meanwhile, the NFL Scouting Combine looms. It will be held in Indianapolis in two weeks' time, from Feb 23 to March 2.
