The word of the offseason for the Atlanta Falcons has been competition. Ever since the Falcons hired Kevin Stefanski to be their head coach, it's become clear that no jobs (or roster spots) are safe. Unlike past regimes, it's become clear that if you want to see the field, you're going to have to work for it.
Stefanski has been preaching the art of competition all offseason, but it hasn't been until training camp that we've got to see things play out. The Falcons have embarked on several position battles across the roster, and as you would expect, some areas have been moving much faster than others.
Through the first two weeks of training camp, Atlanta has a few position battles that have already been decided (or are close to it), while some others are going to require the next couple of weeks, plus the looming preseason action, to decipher.
Let's do a quick update on the status of some of these position battles:
A status update on some of the Atlanta Falcons' most important position battles
Already decided: Quarterback
The most official-yet-not-official update of the Falcons' offseason comes at the most important position on the football field. Michael Penix Jr. vs Tua Tagovailoa was expected to be the storyline that defined training camp in Flowery Branch, but instead, this QB battle ended before it could start.
Penix has yet to be cleared for 11-on-11s, and he's still a few weeks away from full contact. When Tua was hurt it looked like he still had a fighting chance. but now that he's fully healthy and lighting it up in 11s, it's basically confirmed the inevitable.
To be fair, this battle was always headed in Tua Tagovailoa's direction, but now he's running away with the job before our eyes.
Already decided: Right tackle
This might be a cop-out, but the right tackle competition isn't a true competition. The only reason the Dirty Birds have been auditioning Ethan Onianwa, Michael Jerrell, and Brandon Walton with the first-team offensive line is because the incumbent blindside protector for Tua Tagovailoa was hurt.
Jawaan Taylor has finally been activated off the the active/PUP list to begin training camp. Now that he has fully returned to football activities, there is no doubt he'll step in as the unquestioned starting right tackle.
Already decided: Edge rusher
The Falcons just lost Jalon Walker to a season-ending ACL tear and are bracing to be without James Pearce Jr. for a good chunk of 2026 due to suspension. This means that the pass-rush room is down to dire straits and there really isn't much of a competition to be had between those who are healthy.
Cameron Thomas, Azeez Ojulari, Samson Ebukam, and Bralen Trice are all set to play rotational roles, as is the newly-signed Cameron Sample. Even if someone isn't starting, they'll all play roles, so unless Harold Perkins Jr. or Brandon Dorlus get more looks off the edge, it's hard to call this a competition.
Barring a trade or any more free-agent pickups, this rotation is locked in.
Still going on: Inside linebacker
Earlier this summer, it looked like Christian Harris was the runaway favorite to be Atlanta's second starting inside linebacker next to Divine Deablo. However, training camp has confirmed that this competition is far from over, as several other players have rotated in with the first-team defense.
The main culprits have been rookies Kendal Daniels and Harold Perkins Jr.--both of whom Jeff Ulbrich and this defensive coaching staff seem to have high hopes for. So while Harris is still very much involved in this battle, the higher-upside options are keeping this from being decided early.
Still going on: Nickel cornerback
The nickel cornerback position is perhaps the most wide-open position battle the Falcons are set to hold this summer. They've auditioned multiple different players with the first-team defense, including Avieon Terrell, Sydney Brown, Darnay Holmes, and AJ Woods--and nobody has pulled away yet.
When you factor in the eventual return of Billy Bowman Jr. from his torn Achilles, this competition is only going to get murkier. Terrell and Brown have had some good moments and it seems like they're the early favorites, but Sydney Brown's versatility is a variable we have to consider in this battle.
Still going on: Wide receiver
The wide receiver battle is still going on... to an extent. We already know by now that Drake London and Jahan Dotson will be the starting wideouts on the outside and will be on the field during 2-WR sets, but it remains to be seen who will start in the slot and join them on the field in 3-receiver sets.
The Falcons have been giving Olamide Zaccheus more reps with the first-team offense, but third-round rookie Zachariah Branch has started to turn heads. It feels like every day he's generated a new highlight play, and if he keeps this up, he'll make the idea of starting Zaccheus a lot more complicated.
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