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The Atlanta Falcons are inching closer to the start of training camp, but there are still a few football-less weeks before players begin reporting to the team's Flowery Branch training facility. Rookies will arrive first, on July 24, followed by veterans on July 28.
The team's first official practice is on July 29, which is exactly three weeks from today. To help get you through this final stretch of summer, we're rounding up the latest Falcons news and stories from around the NFL.
In today's Falcons Wire Recap, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. looks ready for return, Kyle Pitts saves the team $11 million, Matt Ryan's official role is revealed and Brandon Dorlus gets some love from ESPN.
The Falcons are hoping Michael Penix Jr. is officially cleared for contact before training camp begins later this month. While he still has a few weeks to heal up, Penix was spotted throwing at a quarterback camp. The "QB Stable" Instagram page posted the below video of Penix with the caption, "Can confirm that he’s ready."
We finally have a little clarity on Falcons President of Football Matt Ryan's role, courtesy of The Athletic's Falcons insider Josh Kendall. While he focused on Ryan participating as an extra arm at practice, the real story is that Ryan reportedly has the final say on all football-related matters.
"Matt Ryan won’t stay out of practice drills," wrote Kendall. "The Falcons hired their all-time leading passer and the ostensibly retired Ryan as their new royally titled President of Football. He has the final say on all things related to the on-field product in Atlanta, but his most noticeable role this offseason was as an extra throwing arm in practice."
As expected, Pitts' three-year extension freed up roughly $11 million in salary cap space for the 2026 NFL season. The former top-five pick's cap hit is less than $5 million this season. According to Over The Cap, the Falcons currently have over $37 million in salary cap space available.
In a new feature for ESPN, Ben Solak selected Falcons defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus as Atlanta's breakout candidate for the 2026 NFL season.
"A lot of Dorlus' sack production was in cleanup after edge rushers forced the quarterback to climb, but he still used his length and flexibility well to shed blocks late and make tackles away from his frame," wrote Solak. "He is especially effective as a looper or crasher in blitz packages, with a great knack for becoming skinny as he works through the line of scrimmage."
It's been quite a week for Bijan Robinson. After being voted the NFL's No. 1 running back in ESPN's poll of league execs, Pro Football Focus gave Robinson the No. 1 spot in their latest RB rankings for 2026.
Six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay retired over the offseason and appears to be giving television a shot as his next challenge. "Big Play Slay" was asked to rank the top five wide receivers that he faced during his career and listed Jones as No. 3.
"He's a guy that never talks trash. Never did. He just kept going," Slay said of Jones. "He was amazing, man. One of the best to ever do it. So that's my third spot."
Tua Tagovailoa still hasn't been named the starting quarterback, but if he does, Bleacher Report believes he would be an intriguing long-shot candidate to win Comeback Player of the Year in 2026.
"If Tagovailoa seizes the QB1 role, he'll have the elite supporting cast—led by first-round skill position stars in Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson—needed to re-emerge as one of the NFL's top passers," wrote B/R's Alex Kay. "Tagovailoa's 45-1 odds for Comeback Player of the Year are simply too alluring to ignore."
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons Recap: Michael Penix Jr. looks healthy, Kyle Pitts' cap hit
Continue reading...
The team's first official practice is on July 29, which is exactly three weeks from today. To help get you through this final stretch of summer, we're rounding up the latest Falcons news and stories from around the NFL.
In today's Falcons Wire Recap, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. looks ready for return, Kyle Pitts saves the team $11 million, Matt Ryan's official role is revealed and Brandon Dorlus gets some love from ESPN.
Michael Penix Jr. spotted throwing at QB camp
The Falcons are hoping Michael Penix Jr. is officially cleared for contact before training camp begins later this month. While he still has a few weeks to heal up, Penix was spotted throwing at a quarterback camp. The "QB Stable" Instagram page posted the below video of Penix with the caption, "Can confirm that he’s ready."
NFL insider clarifies Matt Ryan's role
We finally have a little clarity on Falcons President of Football Matt Ryan's role, courtesy of The Athletic's Falcons insider Josh Kendall. While he focused on Ryan participating as an extra arm at practice, the real story is that Ryan reportedly has the final say on all football-related matters.
"Matt Ryan won’t stay out of practice drills," wrote Kendall. "The Falcons hired their all-time leading passer and the ostensibly retired Ryan as their new royally titled President of Football. He has the final say on all things related to the on-field product in Atlanta, but his most noticeable role this offseason was as an extra throwing arm in practice."
Kyle Pitts contract terms revealed
As expected, Pitts' three-year extension freed up roughly $11 million in salary cap space for the 2026 NFL season. The former top-five pick's cap hit is less than $5 million this season. According to Over The Cap, the Falcons currently have over $37 million in salary cap space available.
ESPN names Falcons' top breakout candidate for 2026
In a new feature for ESPN, Ben Solak selected Falcons defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus as Atlanta's breakout candidate for the 2026 NFL season.
"A lot of Dorlus' sack production was in cleanup after edge rushers forced the quarterback to climb, but he still used his length and flexibility well to shed blocks late and make tackles away from his frame," wrote Solak. "He is especially effective as a looper or crasher in blitz packages, with a great knack for becoming skinny as he works through the line of scrimmage."
PFF ranks Bijan Robinson NFL's best running back
It's been quite a week for Bijan Robinson. After being voted the NFL's No. 1 running back in ESPN's poll of league execs, Pro Football Focus gave Robinson the No. 1 spot in their latest RB rankings for 2026.
Former NFL CB calls Julio Jones as 3rd-best WR ever
Six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay retired over the offseason and appears to be giving television a shot as his next challenge. "Big Play Slay" was asked to rank the top five wide receivers that he faced during his career and listed Jones as No. 3.
"He's a guy that never talks trash. Never did. He just kept going," Slay said of Jones. "He was amazing, man. One of the best to ever do it. So that's my third spot."
Tua named dark-horse candidate for NFL award
Tua Tagovailoa still hasn't been named the starting quarterback, but if he does, Bleacher Report believes he would be an intriguing long-shot candidate to win Comeback Player of the Year in 2026.
"If Tagovailoa seizes the QB1 role, he'll have the elite supporting cast—led by first-round skill position stars in Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson—needed to re-emerge as one of the NFL's top passers," wrote B/R's Alex Kay. "Tagovailoa's 45-1 odds for Comeback Player of the Year are simply too alluring to ignore."
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons Recap: Michael Penix Jr. looks healthy, Kyle Pitts' cap hit
Continue reading...
