Atlanta Falcons open 2025 camp with a bang! Bijan Robinson & Kyle Pitts dominate, as Michael Penix Jr. hints at a high-powered 2024 season offense.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The pads weren't even on, but the message from Flowery Branch was loud and clear: the 2025 Atlanta Falcons offense is here to put the league on notice. On a blistering Thursday to open training camp, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. orchestrated a clinic, headlined by a virtually untouchable Bijan Robinson and a fully-unleashed Kyle Pitts, giving fans a tantalizing glimpse of the high-powered attack they've been dreaming of.
Got KP the ball today. Gonna be a lot of that.
Any questions about who the engine of this offense is were answered emphatically. Coming off a monster 15-touchdown season, Bijan Robinson looked even more explosive, treating the first day of camp like his personal highlight reel. He was a blur of cuts and power, reportedly putting both Natrone Brooks and JD Bertrand on the ground with his moves. The praise came from all corners, but perhaps most tellingly from the man tasked with stopping him. 'Freak,' was the simple, awestruck assessment from first-round pick Jalon Walker. For a player already ranked among the NFL's top-5 backs, Robinson set a terrifyingly high bar on day one.
After an offseason of anxious waiting, Kyle Pitts returned to the field and immediately silenced any lingering doubts about his health. While the team officially has him on a 'modified' plan following the foot injury that sidelined him for OTAs, Pitts declared himself '100%' and played like it. He and Michael Penix Jr. picked up right where their offseason work left off, with Penix making good on his promise to feature the tight end. The duo connected on several big plays, most notably a 25-yard dart on an out route to kick off 11-on-11 drills. In a crucial contract year, Pitts is letting his play do the talking, stating he's 'Taking it day by day.'
While the offense celebrated, the defense was dealt a significant blow before practice even began. Linebacker Troy Andersen, a projected starter, was officially placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list as he continues to recover from last season's knee injury. His absence creates a hole in the middle of the defense and puts his Week 1 status in serious doubt. With Andersen sidelined, the rapid development of rookies like Jalon Walker becomes even more critical. The team will need others to step up to ensure the defense can match the firepower the offense displayed today.
It's only day one, but the blueprint for success is clear. This team will go as far as Penix, Robinson, and Pitts can carry them. The immediate chemistry is undeniable and the potential is sky-high. The challenge now is to maintain this momentum, keep everyone healthy, and solve the puzzle created by Troy Andersen's absence on defense. If today was any indication, buckle up, Falcons fans—it's going to be a thrilling ride.
