Headlines

Atlanta Falcons News & Rumors

Traded Draft Picks For 2026

By | at October 8, 2025 8:05 pm

Many clubs have made moves to acquire 2026 draft capital. Headlined by the six trades where first-round picks have changed hands, here are the 2026 picks to have changed hands thus far. When more deals involving picks are made (or conditions on moves already completed become known), that information will be added.

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

5 comments 2026 NFL Draft Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Chicago Bears Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Houston Texans Jacksonville Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Rams Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings New England Patriots New Orleans Saints New York Giants New York Jets PFR Originals Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Tennessee Titans Washington Commanders

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/7/25

By | at October 7, 2025 7:18 pm

Here are Tuesday’s minor NFL moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Chicago Bears

Indianapolis Colts

The Falcons and Bears have opened the 21-day practice windows for three injured reserve players today. All three will have the next three weeks in which they can participate in practice until they are completely cleared and able to be activated off of IR at any time during that window. If they fail to be activated after 21 days, they will revert to IR and will not be eligible to be activated to the active roster again this season.

Technically, Graham and Homer were already designated to return in the preseason. At the roster cut deadline, each team can designate two players on IR to be eligible to return after missing at least four games of the regular season. Any other players on IR when the initial 53-man roster is set will not be eligible to return to the roster during that year. Graham and Homer were both one of those designations for their respective teams.

Booker, on the other hand, was placed on IR after the roster cut deadline and has just now been designated to return. The protocol from here on out for each player will be the same.

1 comment Atlanta Falcons Chicago Bears Indianapolis Colts Transactions

Anthony Richardson, Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins Not Drawing Trade Interest

By | at October 4, 2025 10:46 pm

With experienced starting quarterbacks Anthony Richardson (Colts), Russell Wilson (Giants), and Kirk Cousins (Falcons) occupying backup roles for their teams, it stands to reason any of the three could wind up on the move before the Nov. 4 trade deadline. However, four weeks into the season, nobody from that group has drawn interest, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports.

Of that trio, Richardson is the least likely to change hands, according to Jones. The former fourth overall pick (2023) disappointed during his first two years in the league, and he then lost a preseason competition to Daniel Jones for the Colts’ starting job this summer. Jones has since gotten off to a surprisingly fast start for the 3-1 Colts, further calling Richardson’s future into question.

The Colts are inclined to keep Richardson through the season, though, as he’ll remain under team control in 2026. He has a fifth-year option for 2027 that Indianapolis will have to decide on in the offseason. Unless his stock rises dramatically this year, it would be a shock if the Colts exercised it.

With the Giants having benched Wilson for rookie Jaxson Dart in late September, the 36-year-old looks like the most logical trade candidate of this group. The Giants haven’t actively sought out offers for Wilson, per Jones, but that could change over the next month. They already have another veteran backup in Jameis Winston under contract for next season.

Wilson, on the other hand, is due to reach free agency again during the spring after signing a one-year, $10.5MM contract with the Giants. An acquiring team would take on Wilson’s prorated $2MM base salary while likely surrendering a Day 3 draft pick, Jones hears.

Despite a quality track record as a starter, it’s no surprise that Cousins hasn’t drawn interest. His contract – which comes with expensive guarantees in the form of a $27.5MM base salary this year and a $10MM roster bonus for 2026 – is prohibitive. The Falcons would reportedly want an acquiring team to take on Cousins’ financial commitments and give up a premium draft pick. Barring drastic changes, he’s likely to ride out the season as the backup to Michael Penix Jr.

Assuming none of Richardson, Wilson, or Cousins end up back in starting roles with their current teams, it may require a contending club(s) suffering a significant injury at QB for any of them to garner trade interest. The Bengals make sense as a potential suitor on paper, having lost starter Joe Burrow to a toe injury in Week 2. Burrow could miss three months (if not more), and backup Jake Browning has struggled mightily since taking the reins. Despite that, the Bengals remain confident in Browning. They also rarely swing in-season trades, and the Mike Brown-led organization may be unwilling to add to its payroll.

Beyond Cincinnati, the Ravens, Vikings, and 49ers are also dealing with injuries to their starters. The Ravens’ Lamar Jackson could miss multiple games with a hamstring injury, but they signed an experienced backup in Cooper Rush last March.

The Vikings also have a battle-tested reserve of their own, Carson Wentz, who’s playing in place of J.J. McCarthy as he recovers from an ankle sprain. As for the 49ers, they appear to be in great shape with No. 2 signal-caller Mac Jones, who has excelled filling in for Brock Purdy. With Purdy down with a toe injury, Jones has led the 49ers to three wins in as many starts.

29 comments Atlanta Falcons Indianapolis Colts New York Giants

Falcons OC Zac Robinson Expected To Be A Top Choice For OSU’s Head Coaching Job

By | at September 28, 2025 9:26 am

In December, we learned Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson would have been Oklahoma State’s top choice to replace head coach Mike Gundy if Gundy had not accepted a contract restructure to remain with the program. Now, after back-to-back embarrassing defeats, Gundy is out as Oklahoma State’s HC, and Robinson is again on the radar. 

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, Robinson is on the “very short list” of candidates for Gundy’s job, which Gundy held for over 20 seasons. Now 38, Robinson played collegiately under Gundy, serving as OSU’s starting quarterback from 2007-09. One of Robinson’s former college teammates, Dez Bryant, quickly took to social media after Gundy’s ouster to advocate for Robinson as the long-time coach’s replacement.

Rapoport makes clear that, as of the time of his report, there has been no contact between Robinson and OSU, which has hired a search firm to aid in its quest for its next permanent head coach. And even if the search takes an expected turn in Robinson’s direction, there could be complications.

For instance, although national signing day is not until February, most high school stars commit to colleges in December, at which point the Falcons’ season will still be ongoing. So while Robinson could hire a staff to do the bulk of the recruiting work, he would be pulling double duty for a time, and the recruits may not have as much contact with their prospective head coach as they would like.

The situation would be difficult, but not unprecedented. As Rapoport points out, then-Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis charted a similar course when he was hired as Notre Dame’s head coach during the 2004 season (of course, the collegiate landscape has changed dramatically over the last two decades).

For now, Robinson will attempt to get the Falcons’ offense and second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. back on track. After a solid Week 1 effort against the Bucs, Penix has completed 31 of 57 passes (54.4% completion rate) for 307 yards and zero touchdowns against two interceptions in his last two games combined. The team was blanked in a 30-0 drubbing at the hands of the Panthers in Week 3.

It is unclear what an inability to right the ship will do to Robinson’s status with OSU, though it will obviously damage his NFL stock. Like many Sean McVay disciples, Robinson became a popular name in coaching circles not long after he joined McVay’s Rams staff as assistant quarterbacks coach in 2019. He attracted OC interest from the Chargers and Ravens in 2023 and was one of the most popular names in the 2024 cycle, drawing OC interview requests from the Bucs, Bears, Patriots, Raiders, Saints, and Steelers in addition to the Falcons.

In his first year in charge of the Atlanta offense, which was quarterbacked first by Kirk Cousins and then by Penix, Robinson’s unit finished sixth in yards per game and 13th in points per game.

14 comments Atlanta Falcons

Falcons To Stick With K John Parker Romo In Week 4

By | at September 26, 2025 1:30 pm

SEPTEMBER 26: Though the Falcons did sign Sauls this week, Romo will be the team’s kicker on Sunday, per Josh Kendall of The Athletic. A performance that resembles his Week 2 output more than last week’s would likely be enough to keep the job moving forward, but missing multiple kicks again could give Sauls a shot in Week 5.

SEPTEMBER 23: The Falcons have already made one major move at the kicker position this season by releasing Younghoe Koo. That decision came about with John Parker Romo being tapped as Koo’s replacement.

[RELATED: Falcons Fire WRs Coach Ike Hilliard]

In Week 2, Romo connected on all five of his field goal attempts and his lone extra point kick. He appeared to be set for a lengthy spell as Atlanta’s preferred kicking option as a result, but things took a different turn in Week 3. During Sunday’s blowout loss to the Panthers, Romo missed both of his field goal tries. The team now appears to be set for a new round of auditions at the position.

“We have to bring competition in,” head coach Raheem Morris said of the kicker spot (via Josh Kendall of The Athletic). “You have to do that until we get it right. That’s something we will work diligently at.”

After a Week 1 loss in which Koo struggled, Morris made it clear free agent options would be explored. That resulted in the Romo signing and, shortly thereafter, the decision to release Koo after a run of six-plus years with the franchise. Workouts were held with free agents Zane Gonzalez, Michael Badgley, and Ben Sauls last time around.

It would come as little surprise if one or more of those kickers were to receive another look. Atlanta also has Lenny Krieg – who lost a training camp competition to Koo – in place on the practice squad. Moving on from Romo after one poor outing would certainly raise a number of eyebrows, especially given his strong showing in Week 2. Nevertheless, Morris and Co. seem to be in position to continue seeking out replacement options over the coming days.

16 comments Atlanta Falcons

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/23/25

By | at September 23, 2025 10:20 pm

As teams enter Week 4, here are the latest practice squad transactions from around the league:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

The Falcons’ kicking rollercoaster took another turn in Week 3 with John Parker Romo missing both of his attempts in Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. Granted, those kicks came from 49 and 55 yards, so Atlanta may have some patience after signing Romo to a two-year contract last week. The Falcons still brought in some potential competition in Sauls, an undrafted rookie who spent training camp with the Steelers and made five of his six field goals in the preseason.

Wright is expected to be out for four to six weeks due to a foot injury, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson.

Watson signed with the Buccaneers after the draft but remained on the non-football injury list as he worked to get his weight to a more manageable level. He was waived during final roster cuts, but the team hosted him for a workout last week, per FOX Sports’ Greg Auman. Watson met the team’s athletic requirements to earn his way back on the practice squad, according to Auman, and will return just in time for the Bucs’ Week 4 matchup with the Eagles. The massive nose tackle does feel like a direct counter to the tush push, but Bowles previously said (via Auman) that Watson wouldn’t be re-signed just for one matchup and would instead need to be ready to contribute to the defense as a whole.

0 comments Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Buffalo Bills Carolina Panthers Cleveland Browns Green Bay Packers Indianapolis Colts Miami Dolphins Minnesota Vikings New England Patriots Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers Seattle Seahawks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tennessee Titans Transactions

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 9/22/25

By | at September 22, 2025 7:34 pm

Here are Monday’s practice squad transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

New Orleans Saints

Henderson did not play during his short stint with the Falcons, though this does not necessarily wrap his time with the team. Atlanta had previously cut the former top-10 pick in August, subsequently signing him back to the practice squad. Henderson has 32 career starts but has never come especially close to justifying his draft slot. Spending time with the Steelers last year, Henderson has not played since the 2023 season — with the Panthers.

0 comments Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Buffalo Bills New Orleans Saints Transactions

Falcons Fire WRs Coach Ike Hilliard

By | at September 22, 2025 5:44 pm

The Falcons are moving on from their wide receivers coach early in the season. Ike Hilliard is out, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. This was Hilliard’s second season in that position.

Pass-game coordinator T.J. Yates will take over in the role, per a team announcement. A former NFL wideout, Hilliard has been a coach in the league for 13 seasons. Hilliard, 49, has been with five NFL teams since he began coaching in the league in 2011. Only one of those stays (with Washington) surpassed two years in length. This is a performance-based move, The Athletic’s Josh Kendall tweets.

Hilliard remains better known for his run as a receiver, enjoying memorable stays in New York and Tampa after being a No. 7 overall pick in 1997, but he has been in the coaching ranks since being an assistant in UFL 1.0 from 2009-10. He has since been an assistant wide receivers coach with the Dolphins and wideouts coach with the Bills, Washington (two stints), Steelers and Falcons. For a season in 2022, Hilliard served as Auburn’s WRs coach and interim co-OC.

Raheem Morris added Hilliard nearly 20 years after the two overlapped in Tampa. The Falcons HC was on Jon Gruden‘s staff during Hilliard’s final NFL seasons, which came in Tampa. Hilliard, who had served previously as a Giants Amani Toomer sidekick from 1997-2004, overlapped with Morris in 2005 and from 2007-08.

The Bucs released Hilliard weeks into Morris’ first offseason in charge back in 2009; he did not play again. Hilliard served as Washington’s receivers coach under Jay Gruden from 2014-19 and interviewed for the Lions’ OC job during his two-year Pittsburgh stint (2020-21). The Steelers did not renew Hilliard’s contract in 2022. After not coaching in 2023, he caught on with the Falcons.

Last season, Drake London took a significant step forward — after being tied to run-based attacks in 2022 and ’23 — with a 1,271-yard showing. He is off to a much slower start this year, totaling 159 through three games. Despite Darnell Mooney playing in two games, no other Atlanta receiver has more than 70 receiving yards. No Falcons receiver has caught a touchdown pass this season, and the dismissal comes after a 30-0 upset loss to the previously winless Panthers.

Yates is an ex-quarterback-turned-Arthur Smith holdover Morris retained in 2024. Yates served as Atlanta’s WRs coach from 2022-23 before being shifted to QBs coach in 2024. Beginning this season as pass-game coordinator, the 38-year-old staffer will return to a previous Falcons role.

16 comments Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Have Not Received Trade Calls On QB Kirk Cousins

By | at September 21, 2025 10:05 pm

Week 3 saw the Falcons suffer a blowout defeat to the Panthers. Kirk Cousins took over quarterback duties late in the shoutout loss, marking his first game action with Atlanta this year.

Starter Michael Penix Jr. was healthy when his Week 3 participation came to an end, but he was benched with the game out of hand. Penix completed 18 of 36 attempts for 172 yards and a pair of interceptions. Cousins took over and went five-for-seven in mop-up duty. For the time being, his future is set to consist of further backup duties as a member of the Falcons.

Cousins requested a trade this past offseason once it became clear Atlanta would hand the reins over to Penix on a full-time basis. That was the situation at the end of the 2024 campaign, and after being selected eighth overall Penix naturally represents the Falcons’ long-term plan under center. At no point did a Cousins trade appear imminent over the summer, though, and that is still the case at this point.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (video link) Atlanta has yet to receive any calls on the four-time Pro Bowler. Every current injury being dealt with by a starting quarterback – aside from Joe Burrow‘s – is a short-term one. Cincinnati does not intend to add a veteran passer, so a market does not exist at this point for an in-season deal (presuming Cousins, who holds a no-trade clause, would sign off on one anyway).

Of course, finances are a major factor in this case. Cousins’ 2025 salary ($27.5MM) is guaranteed in full, and his $10MM roster bonus for next March is already locked in. Keeping in line with their earlier stance, the Falcons would only entertain a trade involving the 37-year-old if an interested team were to take on the remainder of his compensation. Rapoport adds a “premium” draft pick would also be required for Atlanta to sign off on a Cousins trade.

Barring another major injury to an established starter, then, the status quo should remain the expectation in this situation. ESPN’s Dan Graziano notes the Falcons would need to upgrade their QB2 situation behind Penix for a Cousins trade to be feasible, something which has not appeared imminent. For now, attention will turn to a rebound on offense for Atlanta coupled with a stronger showing by Penix. Failing that, the team will have a highly experienced backup to turn to.

13 comments Atlanta Falcons

Falcons CB A.J. Terrell Ruled Out

By | at September 20, 2025 9:22 am

The Falcons have ruled out star cornerback A.J. Terrell for Sunday’s matchup with the Panthers, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Terrell left the game in Week 2 with a hamstring injury and did not practice this week. Head coach Raheem Morris described him as week-to-week on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Fifth-year cornerback Dee Alford is expected to replace Terrell in the starting lineup after finishing the game in his stead last week. He has primarily lined up in the slot in his career with 16 starts across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, but will have to play on the boundary during the Falcons’ visit to the Panthers on Sunday.

Terrell, a 2020 first-round pick, broke out as a second-team All-Pro in his second year with 4.8 yards and a 61.0 passer rating when targeted. He’s been solid in coverage since, but has not returned to the heights of his 2021 campaign. Still, he’s a major loss to a Falcons defense that has been middling against the pass so far this year.

Wide receivers Jamal Agnew (groin) and Casey Washington (concussion) were both ruled out for Sunday’s game as well. Rookie edge rusher James Pearce (groin) is questionable, but should have a good chance at taking the field after practicing all week, albeit as a limited participant. Starting wideouts Drake London and Darnell Mooney have no injury designations and will be full-go against the Panthers.

3 comments Atlanta Falcons
Show all
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors