Atlanta Falcons Set to Kickoff Offseason Program: 3 Things to Watch

For the first time since the hiring of new coach Raheem Morris, the Atlanta Falcons will get back to work with the beginning of the offseason program.

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris during the NFL Scouting / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It is still early spring, and while it isn’t “football season,” the Atlanta Falcons are set to get back to work on Tuesday with the players and the strength returning to Flowery Branch for workouts. 

This means fieldwork is approaching, starting with voluntary minicamp, which is set to kick off on April 22. We are watching these three things as the Falcons begin the road back to playing football.

What’s The Status of Kirk Cousins and Grady Jarrett?

Oct 8, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett (97) celebrates / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest talking points this offseason for the Falcons is the status of quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, arguably their two most important players this coming season. Both are coming off season-ending injuries last year, with Jarrett suffering a torn ACL while Cousins is working his way back from an Achilles tear.  

Neither player is likely to substantially participate in anything on the field, as they are both still in rehab. However, as Cousins revealed in his introductory press conference, he can already “take drops” and throw the football. While that is a good sign nonetheless for the 35-year-old, he also indicated there is still work to be done. 

"I can take drops. I can play the quarterback position, if you will, throwing the football," Cousins said of his recovery back in March. "I think the minute I would have to leave the pocket is where you’d say, ‘Yeah, he’s still recovering from an Achilles.’ But taking drops, making throws, that’s really no problem at this point." 

Who Starts at Safety Alongside Jessie Bates? 

Moving onto one of the early anticipated position battles of the offseason, competition at safety will begin this offseason as both Richie Grant and DeMarcco Hellams will look to stake out their place on the field alongside Jessie Bates. 

Thanks to last offseason’s prized free-agent signing of Bates, the Falcons secondary has a two-time second-team All-Pro on the backend. However, the team is now looking to find Bates’ safety partner.

Last season, that was Grant, the former second-round pick out of UCF. He started in 15 of his 17 appearances and totaled 103 tackles, three for a loss, two forced fumbles, and one interception. In the two games where Grant didn’t receive a start, it was because the former seventh-round out of Alabama, Hellams, did. 

The former member of the Crimson Tide was not only a surprise for the Falcons last season because he made the 53-man roster despite being selected in the draft's final round. He also managed to record four starts in 15 appearances, two of which saw him overtake Grant on the depth chart, while the others saw the rookie play alongside him and Bates.

Will all three safeties continue to see the field in defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake's new scheme, or will one have to beat out the other? Time will indeed tell, with OTAs potentially providing a small peek at the Falcons’ plans.

What Does Raheem Morris, the Head Coach, Look Like? 

When discussing the different types of head coaches, the two categories often mentioned are the “play-caller” and the “CEO.” 

For example, Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh is a modern-day example of what many would call a “CEO” coach. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams’ Sean McVay is a prototypical play-caller, or someone who gets into the proverbial weeds rather than sitting back and leading as needed like a CEO.

So what is Morris? That question will start to be answered here in the next few weeks as the off-season program kicks off. Obviously, Morris became the Falcons coach in part thanks to his work as the Rams defensive coordinator. However, while he possesses the Super Bowl-winning coordinator understanding, does that mean he’ll be heavily involved defensively?

The same question can be asked about Morris’s energy level and how he handles himself in practice. Is he more of the laid-back overseer, or will he be actively involved, making his voice heard?