FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Falcons are well into their offseason work as the summer creeps forward. The rookies have been introduced to the team, and voluntary workouts are in full swing. Mandatory minicamp is on the horizon, which has brought forth a couple questions about what the season ahead could look like.
You've got questions, I've got answers, so let's dive in!
Oh, and make sure you are submitting set questions here — the Mailbox drops open every Wednesday!
Will S. from Summerville, Georgia
Hi Tori,
It's gonna be interesting knowing that Raheem Morris doesn't play his No. 1s in the preseason, to see how he handles the QB position. Do you think Kirk Cousins (assuming he's still a Falcon) will start in the preseason, as much to see if he's still "got it" as much as anything else? It seems pointless to play the other guys, but what are your thoughts? Thanks!
I think you are onto something, Will, and not just because of the quarterback position.
It's funny because y'all know how I feel about the preseason: DO NOT PLAY YOUR STARTERS. However, because of how this 2025 roster is structured coupled with the first four weeks of games on the Falcons' schedule, I have begun to change my tune a little bit. And it wouldn't surprise me if Raheem Morris — also a proponent of the don't-play-your-starters-in-the-preseason opinion — changes his thinking, too.
Let's start with my first point, which is how the 2025 roster is constructed. You have a semi-rookie quarterback in Michael Penix Jr. who needs as many live reps with his skill crew as you'd be willing to give him. You also have a ton of new faces — young faces at that — on defense. You also have guys returning from injury (Bralen Trice, DeMarcco Hellams to name a couple) who you need to rev up after a season on the sideline. You have a lot of new, a lot of youth and the need to accelerate them quickly, which brings me to my second point...
The first four weeks of the season are arguably one of the most significant for Atlanta. They open at home against Tampa Bay before going on the road in consecutive weeks to face Minnesota in a prime-time slot and a new-look Carolina team in Charlotte. They then host one of the NFC's hottest teams with Washington coming to town in Week 4. There's no where for Atlanta to hide, and they have to be ready to hit the ground running fast.
There's no easing into this season, which is why the preseason may matter more than usual.
Now, I am not saying play every single starter through all four quarters of the three preseason games. Heck no. But I am saying give some of the younger starters some reps.
For example, give Penix a couple series with his full gambit of offensive weapons, along with Ryan Neuzil at center. I don't think you have to have all five linemen out there with him, but Neuzil partnering with Penix in a live look would be important. Then, defensively, get your draft picks out there working through a rotation for a series or two. See how someone like Billy Bowman Jr. operates at nickel, or how Xavier Watts communicates at safety. If you have a young player who you expect to start Week 1, don't wait around for Week 1 to get them accustomed to the NFL speed.
Tarik N. from Knoxville, Tennessee
Recently I've been seeing articles about Ryan Neuzil and several state he is still able to negotiate with other teams. My understanding was that the deadline for restricted free agents with a "Right of First Refusal" and their agents to negotiate with other teams was April 19th, and now he can only negotiate with the Falcons, meaning his options are to sign and play or sit out the season. Can you please clarify the details of the "Right of First Refusal" for restricted free agents?
Yes, Tarik, you are right: The deadline for a restricted free agent with a right of first refusal render to negotiate with another team has come and gone. Meaning that, yes, Neuzil's only option is to sign with the Falcons. If you are seeing reports that Neuzil can still negotiate with other teams, that is false.
A right of first refusal tender is a one-year contract worth $3.26 million, according to the league. From March 13 (the start of the new league year) to April 19, a restricted free agent with a right of first refusal tender can negotiate and sign an offer sheet with another team. Their previous club, has the right to match said offer or allow the player to continue on with the new organization. There is no draft compensation tied to this tender.
In this case, Neuzil did not sign with another team and, therefore, can re-sign with the Falcons. Now, why this hasn't officially happened yet? Unsure. But I wouldn't read too much into it or worry. The Falcons have made it abundantly clear they plan to move forward with Neuzil as their starting center in 2025. And, as the rules of the tender explain, he can't go anywhere else in the meantime.
Geoffrey C. from Brooklyn, New York
Not so much a question as a comment. How could the Falcons give Jalon Walker No. 11 when Julio Jones was arguably the greatest Falcons receiver ever? How can the front office justify such an outrage?
Errmm... because the Falcons organization does not retire numbers. Instead, Atlanta inducts individuals into the Ring of Honor (which, give it a couple years and I guarantee you we will see Jones in said Ring of Honor with Matt Ryan, who was just inducted in 2024).
You're right that Jones was arguably the greatest receiver to ever wear a Falcons jersey, but one could say Michael Vick had one of the greatest cultural impacts at the quarterback position during his era in Atlanta. You know who wears No. 7 now? Bijan Robinson. So, don't get too bent out of shape about this or read too much into it.
