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Can former MVP and franchise legend Matt Ryan reignite the stagnating Atlanta Falcons?
The Atlanta Falcons haven't been the same since that fateful night in Houston. Leading the game 28-3 halfway into the third quarter, MVP quarterback Matt Ryan was putting on a performance that would surely net him his first ring.
What unfolded was not only the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history, but possibly one of the greatest ever, as Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to a 34-28 overtime win, winning his fifth Lombardi Trophy for the team that drafted him back in 2000.
That was nearly a decade ago, and, with the exception of a trip to the Divisional Round the following year, the Falcons haven’t made the playoffs since.
Now, with consecutive 8-9 finishes and another year without a trip to the post-season, Falcons owner Arthur Blank has completely overhauled the front office, firing Head Coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot.
The first part of this new look is the creation of the position of President of Football and the appointment of Matt Ryan, welcoming him back to the city and franchise that he left five years ago, putting him in charge of "everything between football and grass.”
As Ryan prepares to take on the mammoth task ahead of him, we break down the challenges he must overcome to help spark a revival in Atlanta.
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Finding the Head Coach for the future
The NFL coaching landscape has changed drastically in recent years. Teams are less willing to give head coaches time to build and develop if results don't go their way within the first few years.
Four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers spoke on this topic following the Pittsburgh Steelers' playoff elimination.
"There’s a lot of pressure that comes from the outside, and obviously that sways decisions from time to time, but it’s not how I would do things and not how the league used to be,” he told reporters.
If Ryan wants to set the Falcons on the right path, finding the right head coach is crucial. The wrong hire would be a disastrous start to his tenure.
With John Harbaugh seemingly set to be heading to the New York Giants, and Mike Tomlin rumoured to be taking a year out, two of the best options from the list of available coaches have already been ruled out.
Could Kevin Stefanski be Ryan’s guy?
Stefanski, who the Falcons are reportedly interested in, may be the most appealing option of recently fired head coaches. Despite only winning five games with the Cleveland Browns, Stefanski's side had the best defense in the AFC North and beat both the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers at home.
These were the highlights of what was another bleak year in Cleveland, despite Myles Garret breaking the sack record and rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger hitting the ground running.
Stefanski's undoing was his offense, his inability to find a true starting quarterback, and the lack of weapons in the passing game.
While those problems cannot be solely attributed to the two-time Coach of the Year, it begs the question: would Ryan do better to look elsewhere?
What about Seattle Seahawks' OC Klint Kubiak?
Klint Kubiak comes from a football family, with his father, Gary Kubiak, winning four Super Bowls, three as an assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos, and one as head coach of the Broncos in Super Bowl L.
The younger Kubiak has enhanced his reputation after guiding the Sam Darnold-led Seahawks' offense to a 14-win season and the Divisional playoff round.
Under Klint Kubiak, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has transformed into a frontrunner for the Offensive Player of the Year, while the ground game, consisting of Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III, has produced over 1,700 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.
Other head coaches in the running
Other options include Kubiak’s colleague and Seahawks' defensive coordinator Aden Durde, Green Bay Packers' defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, and Denver Broncos' defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
However, given the Falcons need to continue developing a quarterback - whether that's Michael Penix Jr. or his replacement - an offensive-minded coach may make the most sense.
Identifying the right GM to lead the reset
Ian Cunningham, currently the Chicago Bears' assistant GM, was also considered for Ryan's position before it was given to the former MVP; however, it would be hard for him to turn down the GM position.
Cunningham helped turn the Bears, who finished last in the NFC North in all three seasons, into an 11-6 team that is now in the Divisional round of the playoffs.
The wealth of young talent brought in by the Bears' front office is further proof of Cunningham's legitimacy. From Caleb Williams in 2024 to Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III in 2025, he has been instrumental in adding talent that has helped spark Chicago's dramatic turnaround.
When we also consider his valuable experience working for the Baltimore Ravens' and Philadelphia Eagles' front offices, Cunningham looks like a great fit for the Falcons' GM role.
Making shrewd moves in free agency
The Falcons have $30,622,579 in cap space going into 2026 and must make the most of their forays into free agency after trading away their first-round pick for this upcoming draft to the Los Angeles Rams last offseason.
There are two positions Atlanta needs to address, whether that's due to a lack of depth or upcoming expiring contracts.
Cornerback
A.J. Terrell is a key part of the Falcons' secondary; however, they need a solid second option. Amik Robertson of the Detroit Lions or Eric Stokes of the Las Vegas Raiders would both be affordable options.
Linebacker
With both Kaden Ellis and Troy Andersen's contracts expiring in 2026, and with Ellis turning 30, they may look to younger options.
Kenneth Murray, the Los Angeles Chargers' first-round pick from 2020, now on the Dallas Cowboys, has put up consistent numbers for the past few years across three different teams and could be the answer to their soon-to-be problems at inside linebacker.
Drafting the right WR partner for Drake London
Drake London had another strong year for the Falcons, putting up 919 yards and seven touchdowns despite missing six games through injury.
Tight end Kyle Pitts and running back Bijan Robinson are excellent pass catchers, but an upgrade over Darnell Mooney at wideout is sorely needed.
The deep wide receiver class in the 2026 NFL Draft makes this an ideal opportunity to find wideout help, even at the Falcons' pick No. 48. Here are a handful of options.
Elijah Sarratt
With 802 yards and 15 touchdowns, Sarratt has been a difference-maker for the Indiana offense that has lit up opponents on their route to the National Championship.
At 6'2" and 209 pounds, he has been likened to Nico Collins in his physical presence and ability to make contested catches.
Antonio Williams
The Clemson receiver earned all ACC honours in 2024. Despite standing at only 5'11, Williams displays elite technical ability and is an elite route-runner.
Ja'Kobi Lane
Why not pair London with another USC prodigy?
Lane caught the eyes of NFL scouts in his sophomore season after putting up 525 yards and 12 touchdowns. He finished that year with an MVP performance in the Las Vegas Bowl, where he torched Texas A&M with seven catches for 127 yards and three touchdowns.
The Trojans' star followed up with an excellent 2025 season, posting 745 receiving yards and four touchdowns while showcasing top-tier explosiveness.
Final thoughts
The quarterback-turned-pundit has much to do in Atlanta. However, there are reasons for optimism. The Falcons finished 8-9 and lost the tiebreaker, and have several blue-chip players under contract beyond 2026.
In Penix Jr., Atlanta has a young quarterback who may yet prove he has the tools to develop into a player capable of leading the franchise to a winning record. And in Robinson, Pitts and London, Ryan has a trio of players with elite talent who he can build around.
The immediate challenge facing Ryan, before free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft roll around, is hiring the right management team. It's a tall order, but get that right, and he'll set Atlanta on the right path to what could be a postseason berth in 2026.
