Atlanta Falcons rookie Zachariah Branch had a rough outing against the Chicago Bears in Week 6, fumbling twice on special teams and putting his role as the team's primary return specialist under scrutiny…
However, just one week later Branch gave the Falcons a pretty good reason to keep trusting him.
During Atlanta's 29-20 upset win over the previously undefeated San Francisco 49ers in Week 7, Branch broke free for a 60- yard kickoff return that helped set up the Falcons' first points of the game. And this was on his first return of the game.
Zachariah Branch needed just one return to silence his biggest critics
Naturally, there were questions about whether the Atlanta Falcons should continue trusting Zachariah Branch with return duties after the Bears game. But head coach Kevin Stefanski made it clear afterward that the team wasn't giving up on the third-round rookie out of Georgia.
"Zachariah's somebody we're going to be counting on," Stefanski told Daniel Flick. "He's a conscientious kid. He has to take care of the football."
Stefanski also acknowledged the impact of Branch's turnovers, but remained confident that the rookie would learn from the experience. But they also didn't have much choice but to believe in him, as Olamide Zaccheus was inactive with a shoulder injury, meaning Branch would take on a larger role.
"We're counting on him, he'll be better for this," Stefanski added.
And against San Francisco, Branch wasted almost no time proving his coach right during his reps both as the WR3 and as the return man.
The Falcons' faith in Zachariah Branch could pay off moving forward
What makes Zachariah Branch's response even more encouraging is how the Atlanta Falcons handled his mistakes in the first place.
Bijan Robinson pulled the 22-year-old aside during the loss to Chicago to talk and pray with him after noticing how frustrated the rookie had become. Drake London also offered support, while Stefanski publicly defended Branch's status with the team. That confidence appears to have paid off.
Branch was one of the more intriguing prospects in Atlanta's 2026 draft class because of his elite speed and ability to contribute both offensively and on special teams.
And Sunday's performance offered another glimpse of why Atlanta was so excited about his potential. In addition to the return, he caught one of two targets for nine yards and had an eight-yard run. His explosiveness and versatility are second to none on this roster.
Of course, one 60-yard return doesn't completely erase the concerns about ball security. Branch still needs to prove he can consistently protect the football, especially considering how costly turnovers can be in close games.
But the Falcons also have to recognize what he brings to the table. There simply aren't many players who can flip field position as quickly as Branch, and taking him off return duties after one disastrous afternoon could have meant sacrificing one of Atlanta's more explosive special teams weapons.
Stefanski decided against that approach, and in Zaccheus' absence, Branch rewarded him almost immediately. The Falcons also got a much needed win in the process, improving to 3-4 while handing San Francisco its first loss of the season.
Now, with Atlanta preparing for a divisional matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8, Branch has an opportunity to build on Sunday's performance.
Zachariah Branch still has plenty to prove, but considering how things looked just one week ago, the rookie couldn't have asked for a much better response as he continues to push for Olamide Zaccheus' spot in the starting lineup.
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