It’s been years since the Falcons had a true game-changing, three-down linebacker. While Foye Oluokun had a breakout season in 2020, he wasn’t quite the all-around, consistent force that would put him in the Pro Bowl conversation. The last top-tier inside linebacker on the team was Deion Jones in 2017. Analysts once believed Jones was the prototypical linebacker teams should want to build their defenses around. That didn’t last long, as Jones quickly declined after an injury-plagued 2018.

Divine Deablo’s emergence has made fans appreciate what stellar linebacker play looks like. His ability to accelerate through blocks to make run...

Despite my natural skepticism about this team borne from over two decades of fandom, it’s hard to avoid feeling optimistic about the coming season.

So for the 4th of July, let’s talk about four reasons I see to be optimistic, and four reasons that give me pause.

Matt Ryan’s back in the building

Ryan is, unsurprisingly, universally liked and deeply respected in Flowery Branch, and players and coaches alike have had nothing but good things to say about his level of involvement and investment. I am excited about the impact he’s going to have on this team. Ryan knows...

Hello Falcoholics, and welcome to the long holiday weekend! Training camp will be here before we know it, and in the meantime, I’m encouraging all the writers here to take it easy and enjoy the 4th. I’ll share some discussion posts through the weekend so if you need a break from the festivities or if it’s just too dang hot for you to be anywhere but inside, we’ll be right here talking Falcons.

Since it will likely be a bit slow around here this weekend, I also want to remind everyone that The Feed is there for you to share...

As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th birthday, several Atlanta Falcons players recently spent time honoring those serving overseas.

Safety Jessie Bates III, defensive lineman Zach Harrison, rookie edge rusher Jalon Walker, and former Falcons great John Abraham took part in the NFL’s annual USO tour, traveling throughout Japan to visit U.S. military personnel and their families. The weeklong trip included stops at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo, and Camp Zama, where the group met with service members, toured facilities, and participated in a variety of activities designed to connect the NFL with...

The Falcons enter the 2026 season with a new direction and plenty of question marks. Kevin Knight to discusses the “make or break” players for Atlanta, whose play could determine the success or failure of the team this year. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of The Falcoholic Live!

Watch the stream below or on YouTube

You can also listen to all of our video shows in an audio-only podcast format, available on all your favorite podcast platforms or by using the player below. The podcast typically posts a few hours after the live show records.

If you’re interested...

The Falcons enter the 2026 season with a new direction and plenty of question marks. Kevin Knight is joined by Aaron Freeman (Locked On Falcons) to discuss the “make or break” players for Atlanta, whose play could determine the success or failure of the team this year. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of The Falcoholic Live!

Watch the stream below or on YouTube

You can also listen to all of our video shows in an audio-only podcast format, available on all your favorite podcast platforms or by using the player below. The podcast typically posts a few hours...

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Falcons fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

For the first time in several years, the Falcons’ defense will enter the season as a well-rounded unit filled with talent. There are personnel concerns in certain areas up front. How they replace Kaden Elliss will be a major question going into the fall. Everything else looks encouraging for Jeff Ulbrich’s unit after the significant strides made in 2025. One of...

The stage was set for the Falcons to make a Super Bowl run for the first time in four years. As was the case the last time they were built to win a championship, they had to beat the Seahawks at home to play in the NFC Championship.

This was a Super Bowl-winning, battle-tested group filled with stars on both sides of the ball. While the Legion of Boom wasn’t as dominant as it once was, Russell Wilson’s ascendance into becoming a top-tier quarterback gave them plenty of firepower to win another Super Bowl.

The Falcons were drastically different, with...

It’s Sunday in June, so it must be time for another leisurely discussion post. Join me and share something good in your life right now.

Here’s today’s prompt: What’s your favorite thing you’ve read, watched, played, or done in 2026? It’s a very open-ended prompt and you’re welcome to share multiple things, so long as they’re something that’s brought you a bit of joy and stuck with you through the first six months of the year.

Share with your fellow Falcons fans and we’ll mark being another week closer to training camp.

Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts were back-to-back-to-back top ten picks in the NFL, so you’d expect them to be worth the investment. While Pitts has been a little up and down to this point, all three are among the most exciting young players at their respective positions, while Bijan might be the most exciting running back in football.

Given the talent and production, it’s little surprise that they’re considered among the NFL’s best trio of playmakers. Bill Barnwell at ESPN had ranked them 10th in 2024 and 9th heading into 2025, but after Bijan went nuts, London produced...

The Falcons signed tight end Kyle Pitts to a massive 3-year deal this week, prompting strong reactions from fans and analysts. Kevin Knight breaks down the deal, comparing Pitts’ production and cost to other tight ends and wide receivers and explaining why the deal is an objectively good value for Atlanta. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of the Dirty Birds and Brews podcast!

All of the details are broken down more thoroughly in the shows below, but I’m adding in my research notes here for those who prefer the written content. It’s a little bullet-pointy, but wanted to give...

We know the Falcons will have quite a few open practices for fans to watch during training camp, which is good news for those hoping to see the new regime and many new players in person. Now we know when the team will actually report for training camp, as well.

Per the NFL, rookies will show up on July 24 and veterans will report on July 28, three days before the first open practice takes place on July 31. That means this intriguing rookie class, highlighted by Avieon Terrell and Zachariah Branch, will kick us off before everyone else arrives...