The Atlanta Falcons are looking to finish out the 2025 season with a four-game winning streak, offering a miserable fan base some hope. While obvious concerns remain on the Atlanta roster, the late surge has saved several careers that appeared to be on life support. Whether the turnaround is enough to save the tenure of head coach Raheem Morris remains to be seen; however, certain players have proven they deserve a second chance.
With that being said, here are three Falcons who Atlanta should give another shot in 2026.
1. Kirk Cousins, QB
There is no denying that Kirk Cousins has his flaws, including a knack for being a statue in the pocket. Despite that, there is also no changing the fact that Atlanta has gone 4-2 since the veteran has taken over as the starting quarterback. Taking this back a step further, the Falcons started the 2024 season 6-3 under the leadership of Cousins, before injuries ended his ability to throw the ball past the sticks. While Cousins is still a limited passer, it is hard to see the Falcons not bringing the veteran back.
Atlanta lacks its own first-round pick in the 2026 offseason, and Michael Penix Jr.'s future is incredibly uncertain coming off his third serious knee injury. Cousins has thrown six touchdowns to only one interception over the last three weeks, including an impressive game with 373 passing yards and three TDs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15.
Cousins is back from the dead and appears to have secured his roster spot for next season. With two years remaining on his deal, the expected offseason cap casualty is all of a sudden very much in the mix for the starting job next season.
2. Kyle Pitts, TE
Atlanta fans had given up hope that Kyle Pitts would ever again flash the promise of his rookie season. Three years of injuries and frustrations would appear to jettison the tight end at the end of the 2025 season when his contract expires. Instead, Pitts has engineered a breakout season, offering 870 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 82 catches in 16 games.
This production comes while Pitts has appeared more engaged as a blocker, helping Bijan Robinson put together an incredible 2025 season. Now, it seems the Falcons would be foolish not to re-sign Pitts rather than risk hitting a free agent market whose highlights offer an aging Dallas Goedert or the inconsistent Isaiah Likely.
Pitts simply has shown enough to earn another contract and return to a team that appeared ready to move on even weeks into the 2025 season. Now, the pass catcher is too vital to an offense that is starting to show signs of figuring things out at the end of the 2025 season.
3. Jeff Ulbrich, DC
Atlanta's decision to hire the failed New York Jets head coach was a move that appeared to be more about who Morris had worked with in the past and less about the most qualified option. Jeff Ulbrich has completely flipped this narrative on its head, leading the Falcons' pass rush to become the second most productive unit in the league behind the AFC's top-seeded Denver Broncos.
Not only do the Falcons own 53 sacks on the year, but they also have 144 pressures (T-9th), 56 hurries (8th), and a 24.7% pressure rate (9th).
Atlanta has gone from one of the league's worst pass rushes to elite, and Ulbrich deserves credit. It is easy to argue that the overall numbers would be far more impressive if the Falcons' offense had offered anything close to consistent support. Even if the franchise moves on from Morris, Atlanta's next coach must consider running things back with Ulbrich.
The Falcons' defense hasn't looked this capable in far too long, and that doesn't happen without the man running the show. If Atlanta wants to challenge for a Super Bowl in the near future, Ulbrich needs to be around for the long haul.