After a disappointing year, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the Atlanta Falcons in 2025. Kirk Cousins is likely to be traded or released after struggling with ankle, shoulder and elbow injuries and the Falcons offense has a young group that will be led by second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
With Drake London, Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier as his top weapons, Penix should have plenty of help next season even if they don’t keep Kyle Pitts. The supporting cast had Penix feeling good heading into the offseason and send a warning to the rest of the NFL.
Michael Penix Jr. Believes the Falcons Have the NFL's Best Offense Entering 2025
Penix spoke with ESPN’s Marc Raimondi recently and gave his thoughts on the Atlanta offense. While it’s not surprising to hear an optimistic view heading into the offseason, Penix went a step further, declaring the Falcons as the best offense in the NFL.
“I feel like we’re the best, player for player,” Penix said. “I feel like we’re the best out there. We just got to go do it.”
The Falcons offense was something that many felt would be a strength last season. London was an ascending player heading into last season and went on to have a career year, catching 100 passes for 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024. Robinson also had an excellent sophomore season, running for 1,456 yards and 14 touchdowns to go with 61 catches for 431 yards and a touchdown.
With Allgeier also running for 644 yards and three touchdowns, the Falcons had plenty of weapons and also finished 11th in Pro Football Focus’s final offensive line rankings for 2024. But while Atlanta has a lot going for them, it could come down to what happens at the quarterback position.
The Falcons thought they had an answer at quarterback when they signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract last spring. Cousins played well enough to lead Atlanta to a 6-3 start but he faded as the season went along, throwing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 starts before Penix took over.
The 24-year-old had ups and downs during his three starts to finish the season, completing 58 percent of his passes for 737 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. But he saved his best start for last, throwing for 312 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the Falcons season-ending loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 18.
With Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud also taking steps forward, the Falcons’ biggest challenge could be fixing their defense – a task that could be difficult considering their salary cap situation. But if Penix takes a step forward, Atlanta’s offense could lead the way to compete in a wide-open NFC South division in 2025.