Week 1 of Falcons Training Camp: What Did We Learn?
Last Thursday, the Falcons returned to training camp at Flowery Branch with key questions about their offseason acquisitions—especially rookie QB Michael Penix Jr.—and Kirk Cousins’ health and consistency. While camp still lies early in the offseason calendar, these practices offer real takeaways. Last year, Flowery Branch was closed to fans, leaving camp impressions to speculation; this year, “The Hill” reopened to record crowds eager to see Penix’s arm and Cousins veteran savvy in person.
What did we learn?
QB Battle
After a 6–3 start in 2024, Kirk Cousins’s injuries and erratic play cost the Falcons their postseason berth. In Week 16 against the Giants, Penix stepped in, guiding Atlanta to a 1–2 mark—both overtime losses decided by defensive breakdowns and coaching miscues, with Penix never in possession in OT.
Camp provided a chance to gauge Penix’s arm talent and accuracy work. Early sessions were strong: he consistently displayed the downfield zip that earned him the No. 8 pick. His only off day saw drops by Drake London and Bijan Robinson stall drives, plus an end-zone interception to London. In Friday’s media-only practice, Marc Raimondi noted he went 8-for-21, though several passes were dropped. I remain bullish, but sustained accuracy this preseason is vital.
Cousins has flashed his elite pocket feel—dissecting zone concepts with ease—but under pressure he’s been sacked more than Penix, a concern given Atlanta’s history of sack-related setbacks. With Raheem Morris often resting starters in preseason and the Falcons prone to slow starts, Penix’s inconsistencies should be monitored.
James Pearce Jr. (!!!)
Trading Atlanta’s 2026 first-rounder to move up for EDGE James Pearce Jr. surprised many. Once mocked No. 1 overall after a dominant Tennessee sophomore year, Pearce slipped to 26 amid slight production dips and relatively speculative character concerns. At 6’5″, 243 lbs with a 4.47 forty-yard-dash with limited pass rush moves or elite bend, Pearce is an outlier. Despite this, Pearce dominated the SEC and had nearly 20 college sacks. It really proves that production is everything.
At camp, Pearce has erased doubts. In drills, he’s a blur; in 11-on-11s, he’s lived in the backfield, batting passes and overwhelming second-team blockers; in pads, he’s sacked first-team QBs and disrupted backfields. He’s engaged in a few scuffles—”prideful,” as DC Jeff Ulbrich called it: “When every ounce of your body is trying to prove who you are, it can get a little wacky.” Teammates like Jesse Bates praise his intensity both on the grass and in the locker room, undercutting any claim that he lacks passion.
Kyle Pitts
In a contract year shadowed by trade rumors, Kyle Pitts looks poised to break out. Fans noted his offseason work on Instagram, and camp has backed it up: on Day 1 open to fans, Penix targeted Pitts on his first three throws and featured him heavily in the red zone.
“We got KP (Kyle Pitts) the ball today—there’s gonna be a lot of that,” Penix said. Falcons fans everywhere are hoping this is finally the season Pitts fulfills his immense potential.
There are plenty of questions around this Falcons roster, but one constant remains: the quarterback position. In five seasons, Drake London and Pitts have never had the same QB for more than one year. Here’s hoping that changes in 2025.