NFL analyst names Falcons among 2026 contenders

Few teams around the NFL have changed more this offseason than the Atlanta Falcons, who turned over the top of their organization at several levels.

To review, they have a new head coach in Kevin Stefanski, a new general manager in Ian Cunningham and a new President of Football (whatever that means) in former MVP QB Matt Ryan. They also have a new option to start at quarterback after signing Tua Tagovailoa to pair with Michael Penix and added promising new pieces at wide receiver and cornerback in the draft.

So, are they better now than at the end of last season? At least one analyst seems to think so.

According to Gary Davenport at Bleacher Report they are. He is buying the Falcons as a contender coming out of the 2026 NFL draft - provided they can survive the first half of their schedule.

"The Falcons have no shortage of offensive weaponry and led the NFC in sacks last year. But Pearce could face a personal-conduct suspension following his offseason arrest, and quarterback remains a major question mark. The key for the Falcons is weathering the first half of the season. If they can do so without falling too far off the pace, they'll be in the mix in a weak NFC South."

Overall, the team does look better on paper - but their success (or lack of it) will depend mostly on how well they are led by the new front office regime, especially Stefanski.

Stefanski managed to win two Coach of the Year awards with the perennially-dysfunctional Cleveland Browns, which bodes well for what he can accomplish in Atlanta.

The x-factor is of course at quarterback. If they get solid play from either Penix or Tagovailoa they can definitely compete for an NFC South title and return to the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. Without a reliable QB though that's going to be difficult, no matter how bright Stefanski may be.