The Falcoholic
Atlanta’s general manager and head coach share thoughts about the draft and more with media.
The Atlanta Falcons are at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, with both Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris talking to media ahead of workouts and the like. While there were no earth-shaking revelations—there never are in these press conferences—we did learn a little more about the shape of the week, the team’s standing with Kirk Cousins, and how Morris feels about the tush push.
Read on!
It’s no great surprise, but the Combine is a busy time for the Falcons. Fontenot told reporters that they’ll be conducting four hours or so of prospect interviews per day, and (to the delight of no small number of fans), that they’re meeting with some prospects from the University of Georgia this week.
The team is well aware not only of the strength of the draft, but I suspect what they need from the draft. Fontenot alluded to the strength of the defensive draft—the offense is heavy on running backs and has a few intriguing top receivers, tight ends, and offensive line, but is not an elite class there—and Raheem Morris talked about how important improving the pass rush is going to be for Atlanta.
It’s fair to infer, then, that Atlanta’s Combine focus will be heavily on defense. The offense needs tweaks but not an overhaul with Michael Penix in hand, a mostly built offensive line (Drew Dalman pending), and plenty of weapons, while the defense needs an injection of talent at every level. Some of the team’s interest in prospects and interviews will leak in the coming days, too.
It’s interesting to get a number of interviews on the docket and a reminder of how much work happens this week, and all of that has to go into getting this draft right for the sake of the 2025 season, the futures of both Morris and Fontenot, and our collective happiness.
Jeanna Kelley put together a dedicated piece on this, but Terry Fontenot told 92.9 The Game that the team’s “stance has not changed” and that Kirk Cousins is still the backup to Michael Penix for 2025. Fontenot also indicated the team did not know about any lingering injuries for Cousins beyond the Denver game.
The team’s stance is clear: They’re going to get an offer they like or they’re going to keep Cousins, cap hit be damned. If they’re serious about keeping him and paying his upcoming roster bonus, chances are an offer will crop up at some point from a team desperate for competent quarterbacking, but the team is going to have to weather the public relations storm and possibility that an unhappy Cousins will continue to make comments that give the team headaches.
If they are serious about this, though, the advantages have been noted by many of you here in the comments. Holding on to him ensures you’re getting something for all your money,...
