Atlanta Falcons open 2025 training camp with Michael Penix Jr. at QB1 and Kirk Cousins as mentor. Can rookie pass rushers fix the NFL's 31st-ranked defense?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The wait is over. The Atlanta Falcons officially kicked off their 2025 training camp at IBM Performance Field today, and the storylines are as hot as the Georgia sun. All eyes are on second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as he takes undisputed command of the offense, while a pair of first-round rookie pass rushers carry the massive weight of fixing a long-broken defense. With key position battles heating up and fan excitement reaching a fever pitch, this is a camp defined by change, pressure, and the promise of a new beginning.
Atlanta's pass rush ranked 31st in sacks last season, a problem the team is betting two first-round rookies can solve.
There's no more ambiguity in the quarterback room. Michael Penix Jr. enters camp as QB1. After taking over for the final three games of last season and showing flashes of brilliance (737 yards, 3 TDs), Penix spent the offseason building chemistry with his top weapons, Drake London and Kyle Pitts. The organization is banking on that continuity to unlock an offense that has sputtered. Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins and his massive contract transition fully into the role of high-profile backup and mentor. It's an unconventional setup, but for the first time in a while, the Falcons have a clear direction under center.
For years, the Falcons' pass rush has been the team's Achilles' heel. After finishing 31st in sacks in 2024 and lagging near the bottom of the league since 2019, the front office made its most aggressive move yet. Enter first-round draft picks Jalon Walker (No. 15) and James Pearce Jr. (No. 26). The explosive rookies, along with veteran addition Leonard Floyd, are not just expected to contribute; they are expected to lead a defensive revolution. Their development is arguably the single most important factor for the team's success this season, and their every move in camp will be under the microscope.
Beyond the headliners, fierce competitions are shaping the roster. After a career-low 73.5% field goal percentage in 2024, beloved kicker Younghoe Koo is facing a serious challenge from German-born Lenny Krieg, an International Player Pathway standout with a guaranteed contract. On defense, key starting spots are up for grabs. Divine Deable is pushing Troy Andersen at linebacker, Xavier Watts is battling for a safety role, and the nickel corner job is a three-way race between incumbent Dee Alford, Billy Bowman, and Clark Phillips. These battles will determine the depth and resilience of the 2025 squad.
The Falcons are starting camp with a few key players on the mend. Tight end Kyle Pitts (foot), linebacker Troy Andersen (knee), and linebacker Bralen Trice (ACL) are all officially listed as questionable for Week 1. The good news is that Pitts and right tackle Kaleb McGary, who both missed spring practices, are expected to be participants in camp. Keeping Pitts healthy and integrated into Penix's offense is a top priority, and his participation level will be a daily storyline.
The energy is palpable in Flowery Branch. With a sold-out opening weekend, it's clear the fanbase is ready to believe. The pieces for a turnaround are on the board: a young quarterback with a year under his belt, explosive new talent on defense, and heated competition at every level. Now, the work begins to forge these individual storylines into a winning team before the season opener. The next few weeks will tell us everything we need to know.
