Atlanta Falcons opened the 2025 training camp this week with high expectations. With several top-tier offensive playmakers and a rising defense, the team will seek to make the playoffs for the first time in seven years.
The offense will be led by second year player Michael Penix who showed promise during his rookie season, throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for one after stepping into the starter role ahead of Kirk Cousins. This year, Penix will have to gain chemistry with weapons such as Drake London, Bijan Robinson, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud, Tyler Allgeier, and Kyle Pitts.
During the first days of training camp, Penix has already stepped up as a leader on and off the field. “We want to be No. 1 in all the categories on the offensive side of the ball,” Penix said following the first open practice.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Falcons are led by safety Jessie Bates III, A.J. Terrell, and Leonard Floyd. Rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. are expected to contribute early to a defense that struggled to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. And rookie Xavier Watts will depth to the secondary.
In camp, Pearce has caused havoc by pressuring the offensive line and also being involved in multiple scuffles. He can bring an intensity that the Falcons lacked in recent years.
Head coach Raheem Morris praised Pearce for his aggressiveness. “We wanted to add a little edge to our football team,” Morris said. “We wanted to add a little edge to our rush. All of the really great football players that I’ve been around, they got edge. They got a little bit of edge when rushing the passer, when you’re talking about some of the great pass rushers, whether it’s Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Warren Sapp, Simeon Rice.”
The Falcons will need that same aggression to carry over to the season as the team’s first five games will feature matchups against quarterbacks Baker Mayfield, J.J. McCarthy, Bryce Young, Jayden Daniels, and Josh Allen.
Sept. 7 will be opening day as the team competes against division rivals Tampa Bay Bucs.
