The Atlanta Falcons are facing some big time questions.
The Atlanta Falcons sit exactly two weeks away from the start of the 2026 season, opening up with a road trip to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 13 which is going to be a tough test.
Beginning the Kevin Stefanski era with a road trip in a hostile environment is not the easiest way for Kevin Stefanski to start his tenure leading the franchise, but things are not easy in the NFL and they may as well jump in feet first.
Now that we are officially two weeks away, the biggest questions for the team are coming into shape, and here are three massive ones facing the team.
When does Michael Penix take over as starting quarterback?
Ultimately, Penix is going to start games for this team this season, and when he returned to full practice makes it realistic that he could be the Week 1 starter. To this point, Kevin Stefanski has been fairly quiet about the young lefty's realistic chances of unseating Tua Tagovailoa in Week 1, but momentum does seem to be rolling towards that.
Struggles from Tua have only confirmed that it's a when not an if on Penix taking over, and if it's at the start of the year, a whole lot more fans are going to be confident on this team's chances of making noise.
Who steps up on the edge for Atlanta?
The Falcons seemed to be bracing for some kind of suspension for James Pearce Jr., but losing their most productive pass rusher for eight games and effectively half the season was a tough blow. Having his fellow first round selection Jalon Walker tear his ACL in practice was absolutely brutal as well, and left the team with a huge looming problem.
Atlanta did sign Za'Darius Smith to soften the blow, and the veteran should help there, but between guys like Samson Ebukam, Azeez Ojulari, Cameron Thomas and Cameron Sample, someone needs to emerge. If they don't, it may be tough sledding for this defense.
What receiver emerges behind Drake London?
While London signed his extension and is without a doubt the alpha of the room, it's a little bit of a mixed bag behind him. Rookie Zachariah Branch is making his case alongside Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus also brought in this offseason. Chris Blair and Dylan Drummond have also drawn some significant praise throughout camp and could factor in.
Ultimately, someone needs to step up and become the guy beyond just London, and who that is could end up defining the season.
