Tag: Atlanta

Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs the ball against the New Orleans Saints in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Falcons to reveal new uniforms on April 2

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Atlanta Falcons will reveal their new uniforms on April 2, the team announced Monday.

In a 45-second video posted to their social media channels, multiple players are shown positively reacting to the new uniforms without actually showing any glimpses of the new threads.

Multiple reports have said the Falcons are going to switch to red jerseys as their primary home uniform.

Atlanta introduced its current uniforms with an “ATL” abbreviation above the numbers in 2020. Red helmets – which replicate those worn in 2009-12 – were brought back as an alternate to the regular black helmets in 2022.

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (8) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Falcons officially place franchise tag on TE Kyle Pitts

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The Atlanta Falcons officially placed the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts on Tuesday, following multiple reports from one day earlier.

Pitts, 25, was set to be a free agent after playing out his fifth-year option in 2025, but now he will be paid approximately $16.5 million for the 2026 season, an average of the top five salaries at his position.

“We’re not in the business of letting go (of) really good players,” the Falcons’ new general manager Ian Cunningham told 92.9 The Game on Tuesday morning, per the team’s website.

NFL Network reported that the two sides will attempt to work out a long-term deal that will eliminate the need for Pitts to play the upcoming season under the tag. They have until July 15 to come to those terms.

Per the team, it’s just the fourth time in franchise history the Falcons have used the franchise tag, with Pitts following punter Michael Koenen (2009), defensive back Brent Grimes (2012) and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (2019). Teams have until March 3 to make franchise tag decisions for the 2026 season.

Pitts was voted to the All-Pro second team in 2025, when he recorded career highs of 88 receptions, 118 targets and five touchdowns while totaling 928 yards.

The new coaching staff helmed by Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will retain Pitts as a primary receiving option alongside receiver Drake London. Pitts has played for two different head coaches, two offensive coordinators and a variety of quarterbacks, including Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins last season.

For his career, Pitts has 284 receptions on 451 targets for 3,579 yards and 15 TDs in 78 games (72 starts) since 2021, when Atlanta drafted him with the fourth overall pick.

Pitts made the 2021 All-Rookie team and was selected to the Pro Bowl that season — his only 1,000-yard campaign.

–Field Level Media

Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on the sideline against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich ‘obviously disappointed’ by James Pearce Jr.’s arrest

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Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said it’s too early to determine James Pearce Jr.’s availability to the team after the edge rusher was arrested Saturday on five felony charges in Florida.

The Falcons have a voluntary offseason program beginning in April. Ulbrich said at a previously scheduled news conference on Wednesday that he could not say if the Falcons need to prepare for Pearce’s possible absence.

“It’s still so early,” Ulbrich said. “We’re still not there yet either way.”

Ulbrich, whose first season in Atlanta coincided with Pearce’s rookie year in 2025, said he was “obviously disappointed” by the news of the arrest.

The Falcons had released a statement on Saturday night.

“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami,” the Falcons stated. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”

New head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday that there’s “really nothing to add.”

“Our coaches will defer to the statement that was put out, so respectfully, I understand there’s questions, but we don’t have much to add there,” Stefanski said.

Pearce allegedly struck a police officer with his vehicle while evading arrest and crashed into a vehicle driven by ex-girlfriend and WNBA player Rickea Jackson, ESPN reported on Monday.

Per the criminal complaint obtained by ESPN from the Miami-Dade County state attorney’s office, the charges against Pearce include aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer.

Pearce, 22, spent most of Saturday night and Sunday in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, then was released Sunday night after posting a $20,500 bond.

Jackson, a forward with the Los Angeles Sparks, told police she had recently ended a relationship with Pearce after about three years. Both Jackson and Pearce attended Tennessee.

Atlanta traded its 2026 first-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for the 2025 No. 26 overall pick and selected Pearce. It was announced Thursday night at NFL Honors that he finished third in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

He finished the 2025 season with 10.5 sacks — the most by a rookie since Micah Parsons (13) for Dallas in 2021 — 10 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and five pass breakups.

–Field Level Media

Nov 2, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. (27) warms up prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Report: More details emerge in arrest of Falcons’ James Pearce Jr.

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Atlanta Falcons rookie linebacker James Pearce Jr., who was arrested on five felony charges on Saturday in Florida, allegedly struck a police officer with his vehicle while evading arrest and crashed into a vehicle driven by WNBA player Rickea Jackson, ESPN reported on Monday.

Per the criminal complaint obtained by ESPN from the Miami-Dade County state attorney’s office, the charges against Pearce include aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer.

Pearce, 22, spent most of Saturday night and Sunday in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, then was released Sunday night after posting a $20,500 bond.

Jackson, a forward with the Los Angeles Sparks, told police Pearce followed her in a white Lamborghini SUV and tried to open her car door on the driver’s side at a red light.

Jackson drove away but Pearce continued to follow her as she drove toward the Doral (Florida) Police Department. Jackson told police Pearce collided into the rear of her vehicle near the police station, then ran his vehicle into hers head-on.

Per the affidavit, Doral police officers arrived at the scene after Jackson called and saw Pearce standing outside of his SUV. One of the officers pulled out his gun and ordered Pearce to get on the ground, but Pearce instead got in his car and closed the door. After the officer opened the car door, Pearce shut it and attempted to leave the scene.

Pearce’s SUV came in contact with an officer in his left knee, which the affidavit described as “intentionally in an attempt to evade arrest.”

Following a pursuit by officers, Pearce’s car crashed at an intersection, and he took off running. When officers caught up to him, Pearce “began to resist arrest by tensing his arms and not allowing officers to apprehend him.” He was “triaged on scene” and taken to Jackson West Medical Center.

Jackson told police she had recently ended a relationship with Pearce after about three years, and blocked his number, but he used another number to text her. Jackson texted Pearce on Friday to leave her alone, but Pearce continued to text her Friday and into Saturday morning. She showed the messages to the police.

“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami,” the Falcons said in a prepared statement Saturday night. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”

Atlanta selected Pearce with the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. It was announced Thursday night at NFL Honors that he finished third in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

He finished the 2025 season with 10.5 sacks — the most by a rookie since Micah Parsons (13) for Dallas in 2021 — 10 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and five pass breakups.

–Field Level Media

Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. (27) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Falcons LB James Pearce Jr. arrested on battery charges

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Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker James Pearce Jr. was arrested on two counts of aggravated battery, among other charges, in Florida on Saturday, according to an online court posting.

Pearce, 22, was arrested in Miami-Dade County, Doral police chief Edwin Lopez confirmed to Local 10 News. Pearce also was charged with a count of aggravated stalking, and with fleeing and eluding police officers, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer without violence to his person.

He’s being accused of intentionally crashing his Lamborghini into his ex-girlfriend’s car multiple times in an attempt to stop her from going to a police station, per a report from Fox Sports South Florida. He then attempted to flee law enforcement in his vehicle.

“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami,” the Falcons said in a prepared statement. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”

Atlanta selected Pearce with the 26th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. It was announced Thursday night at NFL Honors that he finished third in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

He finished the 2025 season with 10.5 sacks — the most by a rookie since Micah Parsons (13) for Dallas in 2021 — 10 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and five pass breakups.

–Field Level Media

Feb 6, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Kirk Cousins on the Opening Drive show at the SiriusXM NFL radio set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Report: Falcons to cut Kirk Cousins before new league year

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Kirk Cousins soon will get to decide where he wants to play in 2026 — or whether he wants to play at all — as the Atlanta Falcons are expected to part ways with the veteran quarterback before the new league year begins in mid-March, ESPN reported Saturday.

Last month, the 37-year-old Cousins and the Falcons agreed to modify the final two seasons of his four-year, $180 million contract. The adjusted deal gave the Falcons salary-cap flexibility and also set up a decision to be made about Cousins’ future in Atlanta by the third day of the 2026 NFL league year on March 13.

The modified deal reduced his 2026 base salary from a non-guaranteed $35 million to just $2.1 million. The difference of $32.9 million matches the increase of his 2027 salary.

Cousins, who has a no-trade clause, still has a guaranteed $10 million roster bonus for 2026.

Per ESPN, Cousins has not ruled out playing next season. But if he retires after 14 NFL seasons, he could move over to television after appearing on CBS’ pregame show during this postseason.

The Falcons, meanwhile, have not committed to Michael Penix Jr. as the starter. Penix, who suffered a torn left ACL in November and could need nine to 12 months to recover, said in recent interviews that he expects to be ready for the season opener in September.

Atlanta president of football Matt Ryan said that no position is set, and that the front office would have “a lot of discussions for us about the entire roster.”

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Cousins completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 games (eight starts). Atlanta was 5-3 in Cousins’ starts, including a four-game winning streak to close the season in a three-way tie for the NFC South crown.

Whomever the starting QB is, he will be under the guidance of new head coach Kevin Stefanski, who was hired last month, along with new general manager Ian Cunningham. Head coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot were dismissed early last month following a second straight 8-9 campaign.

–Field Level Media

Falcons complete 2nd GM interview with Ian Cunningham

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The Atlanta Falcons completed a second interview with Ian Cunningham for their general manager position, the team announced on Thursday.

Cunningham, 40, has spent the past four seasons (2022-25) with the Chicago Bears as assistant general manager. Before that, he spent five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, holding various roles such as director of college scouting, assistant director of player personnel and director of player personnel.

He began his NFL front office career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 as a player personnel assistant. After five seasons in that role, he worked in the Ravens’ scouting department from 2013-16.

The Falcons fired head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot after an 8-9 season in 2025. Kevin Stefanski was named the new head coach on Jan. 17.

Cunningham is the first GM candidate to receive a second interview in Atlanta.

The Falcons have also interviewed Houston Texans assistant GM James Liipfert, Pittsburgh Steelers assistant GM Andy Weidl, San Francisco 49ers director of scouting and football operations Josh Williams, Kansas City Chiefs assistant GM Mike Bradway and Eagles senior personnel director Joe Douglas.

–Field Level Media

Reports: Falcons hiring Tommy Rees as OC, rejoining new head coach

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The Atlanta Falcons are hiring Tommy Rees as offensive coordinator, rejoining new head coach Kevin Stefanski after their time together on the Cleveland Browns’ staff, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.

Rees, 33, spent this season as the Browns’ offensive coordinator after serving as tight ends coach and passing game specialist in 2024. Stefanski yielded play-calling duties to Rees in November after Cleveland’s 2-6 start.

The Browns (5-12) ranked 31st in points per game (16.4), 30th in total yards (262.1), 27th in rushing yards (97.0) and 31st in passing yards (140.3) in 2025.

Rees served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame from 2020-22 and held the same roles at Alabama in 2023.

Atlanta hired veteran offensive line coach Bill Callahan on Tuesday, announced defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was being retained on Monday and hired Stefanski last Saturday to replace fired head coach Raheem Morris. Rees would be replacing Zac Robinson.

Matt Ryan, a legendary quarterback for the franchise, was brought back as the new president of football on Jan. 10.

Rees played four seasons at quarterback for Notre Dame (2010-13) and completed 59.8% of his passes for 7,670 yards, 61 touchdowns and 37 interceptions in 47 games.

–Field Level Media

Falcons retaining defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich

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New Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski will retain defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, the team announced Monday.

Ulbrich agreed to a new three-year deal, according to an NFL Network report.

Ulbrich arrived in Atlanta ahead of the 2025 season after serving as the New York Jets defensive coordinator (2021-24) and interim head coach after Robert Saleh’s firing in October 2024.

He inherited a unit that was 23rd in total defense (345.2 yards per game) and scoring defense (24.9) in 2024. After a draft where the team almost exclusively drafted defensive players, his defense set a franchise record with 57 sacks (second to the Denver Broncos in the NFL), ranking 15th in total defense (326.8) and 19th in scoring defense (23.6).

This is Ulbrich’s second stint in Atlanta. He was previously the Falcons’ linebackers coach from 2015-19, also taking on assistant head coach and then interim DC duties in 2020 before leaving for New York.

Ulbrich, 48, was a third-round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft out of Hawaii and played 10 seasons as a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers. He appeared in 120 games (75 starts) and recorded 501 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Falcons interview Antonio Pierce for coaching vacancy

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Former Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce on Friday became the ninth candidate to interview for the Atlanta Falcons’ head coaching vacancy.

Currently an NFL studio analyst for CBS, Pierce joined the Raiders’ staff in 2022 as linebackers coach, then served as interim head coach in 2023 before becoming head coach in 2024. He went 9-17 at the helm and was fired after a 4-13 campaign in 2024.

Pierce, 47, was on the Arizona State coaching staff from 2018-21 in various roles following a four-year stint (2014-17) as head coach of Long Beach (Calif.) Poly High School.

During his nine-year NFL career as a linebacker with Washington (2001-04) and the New York Giants (2005-09), Pierce won Super Bowl XLII with the Giants.

Along with Pierce, the Falcons have also interviewed Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, former Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (reportedly hired to coach the New York Giants), former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, as well as Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and defensive coordinator Aden Durde.

–Field Level Media