The Atlanta Falcons have a very clear goal.
The Atlanta Falcons are nearing the start of a brand new era for the franchise, and it is the hope of fans that the new administration delivers a whole lot more success than the last decade has brought.
With a new head coach in Kevin Stefanski and an entirely new front office, expectations have varied depending on who you ask. On one hand, this is year one with a completely new regime, but on the other, they inherit a roster that is far from a complete rebuild like a lot of new staffs in the building take on.
In the building though, the goal is as clear as ever. New Atlanta general manager Ian Cunningham did not hold anything back when asked the goals for this season, and it will have fans absolutely fired up.
Falcons Expect to Compete for Playoffs, Cunningham Says
"We're competing to make the playoffs, that's what we're doing that's why we play," Cunningham said. "You want as many shots on net to allow yourself the opportunity to get into the dance and once you get it who knows what may happen? So we're gonna continue to invest in the roster, that's the main goal. That's why we do what we're doing. Whatever we can do to continue to push us forward, that's what we do."
Clearly, Cunningham has big expectations for what he is going to do in Atlanta, but wisely, he knows that before thinking about a Super Bowl, this franchise needs to make a return to the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
The NFC South has been weak, but the Falcons have not taken advantage. Fortunately, the division remains there for the taking and making the playoffs does not feel like an insanely lofty goal given that fact.
Clearly, there's work to do for the franchise, but if Atlanta is going to have a chance at turning it around, there's no better time than the present. The first step is belief that it can be done, and it seems like the Falcons have that without a doubt in the building.
With guys like Cunningham and Stefanski in place, it won't be long before that goal of a postseason return is achieved. Time will tell if it's actually realistic this season or not, but it seems the organization has an expectation and a belief that it is, which is all fans can ask for.
