Make Or Break Season For A Few Players And Offensive Coordinator

The Atlanta Falcons enter 2026 with a new regime and a great deal of uncertainty. Here are four individuals with the most to prove this season.

 

Mike Hughes, Cornerback

Hughes has been a solid CB2 opposite A.J. Terrell during his tenure in Atlanta. He finished 2024 allowing 2 receptions and 21 receiving yards per game, accounting for 483 total receiving yards and three touchdowns.

In 2025, however, he allowed 3 catches and approximately 44 receiving yards per game, accounting for 531 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Moreso, he allowed three plays of 40+ yards.

The Falcons spent their first draft pick in 2026 on A.J.’s younger brother, Avieon Terrell. If Terrell shows potential during his rookie campaign and Hughes delivers an output similar to 2025, his future in Atlanta could come into question. The Falcons would save $7 million in cap space by moving on in 2027.

 

Tommy Rees, Offensive Coordinator

There’s not much to go by in terms of Rees’ resume as an NFL play caller. His primary experience comes with four years as an offensive coordinator at the University of Notre Dame and the University of Alabama.

In the nine games in which Rees called plays for the Browns in 2025, they averaged 17 points per game. However, the offensive talent and personnel in Atlanta are an upgrade from Cleveland’s.

Quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt and assistant passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand both have experience as NFL play callers, giving head coach Kevin Stefanski internal options if Rees underwhelms.

 

The Quarterback Room

2026 is the last chance for Tua Tagovailoa to prove himself as an NFL starter and for Michael Penix Jr. to prove that his health won’t be an issue.

Tagovailoa is looking to revive his career after injuries and mediocre performance led to his release from the Miami Dolphins this past offseason, signing a one-year, $1.3 million deal with Atlanta in March.

Penix was selected by the Falcons 8th overall in 2024, weeks after the team signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract. He took over as the starter in Week 16 after Cousins’ injury/benching.

Despite showing flashes in his 12 career starts, struggles with accuracy and consistency, and a fifth season-ending injury since 2018 (his third torn ACL), have created uncertainty surrounding his future.

Stefanski reiterated that there will be a competition for the starting job once Penix is medically cleared. How the winner performs will determine what the Falcons do at quarterback in 2027.

 

Jahan Dotson, Wide Receiver

After a promising rookie campaign, the former Washington Commanders’ 2022 first-round pick has underwhelmed.

As the Eagles’ third wide receiver behind A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith,  Dotson combined for 37 receptions, 478 yards, and one touchdown. Notably, in 2025, he ranked last in the NFL among qualified receivers in yards per route run and targets per route run at 9%.

The Falcons signed Dotson to a two-year deal this past offseason, giving him an opportunity to prove that his lack of production in Philadelphia was circumstantial.

Atlanta drafted wide receiver Zachariah Branch in the third round, who will compete with Dotson for targets and provide Atlanta’s wide receiver room with reliable production outside of Drake London.