Why 2022 offered optimism for the future of the Atlanta Falcons

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons common supervisor Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith sat at a desk final Wednesday and for the primary time since they took over, they may method an offseason in another way.

After two seasons of roster overhauling and eliminating points with the wage cap, they may spend the subsequent couple of months determining what they want and what they wish to add with out worrying as a lot about learn how to pay for it.

“We had a plan from the very starting, and now we’re within the subsequent part of that,” Fontenot stated. “That is going to be a unique offseason than we’ve had within the earlier years. But, we’re nonetheless going to be good, we’re nonetheless going to deal with issues the proper manner, we’re nonetheless going to set parameters and have self-discipline with every part that we do.”

With that in thoughts, there was clear progress from once they took over — and never simply in creating cap house, of which Atlanta may have at the least $70 million at this level for 2023.

Whereas the on-field progress may be onerous to see after back-to-back 7-10 seasons to start out Smith’s time in Atlanta, it’s additionally straightforward to grasp that the 7-10 put collectively in 2021, with a veteran roster quickly to be purged, and the 7-10 put collectively in 2022 with a roster principally comprised of younger gamers on their rookie NFL contracts or veterans on one-year offers, are vastly completely different.

The 7-10 in 2021 was inside the vary of expectation. The 7-10 in 2022 exceeded most expectations, together with the sharp minds in Las Vegas, who had the over-under for Falcons wins in 2022 between 4.5 and 5.5.

“Write no matter you all need. You guys ranked us forty fifth. You buried us in Could. Bury us once more,” Smith stated after the Falcons blew a 16-point lead in Week 1, shedding to the Saints. “We do not care. We’ll get again to work.”

Atlanta proved that each one season. The Falcons have been outclassed as soon as — a blowout loss at Cincinnati. Everybody else Atlanta performed? Win or lose, the Falcons hung round. That’s a barometer for progress with the Falcons and what Smith and Fontenot are attempting to construct.

It begins in two locations: The teaching workers and the younger core.

Getting the Falcons to 7-10 in 2022 was an excellent teaching job by Smith and his workers. Have been there missteps? Positive. However that is additionally a workforce final season that by no means actually appeared to present in. Instance: When Atlanta was eradicated after Week 16, the Falcons went out and received their remaining two video games.

This may appear unimportant. It would annoy some due to draft positioning misplaced. Once you’re making an attempt to construct one thing, persevering with the identical message is extra vital than one or two draft slots.

“The tradition right here has sort of been set so far as what they anticipate and every part like that,” veteran security Erik Harris stated. “The report doesn’t mirror that, so far as how shut of a locker room we’re and every part, however I feel this can be a actually particular group.”

Harris is among the many gamers the Falcons could or could not have again in 2023 – he’s a free agent. However the distinction is whereas a variety of strikes have been inevitable final offseason, Atlanta now has a bunch to construct round for the subsequent 5 years.

The explanations for optimism can begin right here. Atlanta’s main rusher, Tyler Allgeier (1,035 yards), was a rookie. So was their main receiver, Drake London, who had 72 catches for 866 yards and 4 touchdowns. Kyle Pitts, their No. 1 tight finish, injured a lot of the season, is 22 years previous getting into his third yr.

Left sort out Jake Matthews is tied to the workforce till 2026. Heart Drew Dalman has two years left on his rookie contract, and the Falcons have sufficient cap house (at the least $70 million) to increase Professional Bowl proper guard Chris Lindstrom, who might be getting into his fifth-year choice season in 2023, and produce again proper sort out Kaleb McGary in the event that they wish to. A core of the offensive line could possibly be set for the subsequent few years.

Whereas there are questions on quarterback — Atlanta must determine if rookie Desmond Ridder is its starter — however Smith stated at completely different instances he’s been “fairly happy” and “definitely inspired” by Ridder’s improvement.

In 4 begins, Ridder accomplished 63.5% of his passes for 708 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He additionally ran 16 instances for 64 yards.

Defensively, Atlanta has one in every of its centerpiece gamers, sort out Grady Jarrett, below contract till after the 2025 season. It has a linebacker the workforce believes in with three years left on a rookie contract in Troy Andersen. A.J. Terrell is getting into the final yr of his rookie deal, however it will be stunning to see the Falcons not decide up his fifth-year choice. Security Richie Grant confirmed marked enchancment from his rookie season, too, ending second on the workforce in tackles (123) and passes defensed (seven) whereas tying with Mykal Walker and Jaylinn Hawkins for the workforce lead in interceptions (two). And earlier than his knee damage, defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham confirmed potential enjoying subsequent to Jarrett.

Final yr’s second-round decide, Arnold Ebiketie, confirmed flashes as an edge rusher with 11 quarterback hits and a couple of.5 sacks, however they’ll have to see a leap in Yr 2.

So there are gamers Atlanta can construct round defensively, however it’s this facet of the ball — notably with regards to the move rush, the place the Falcons had 21 sacks in 17 video games — that wants probably the most assist. It additionally wants a brand new boss, as Dean Pees retired, sending Atlanta on the lookout for a brand new defensive coordinator.

“Clearly, we would like extra. We all know that’s an space of enchancment,” Smith stated. “It’s not simply because we took two younger edge guys that magically, you had Lawrence Taylor Yr 1. So, there are a variety of issues as we construct, strategically, and different items that you simply add together with it, and the event of those younger guys.

“That’s how, to me, we have to take one other step, however there’s a variety of shifting elements to it.”