Falcons Coach Ryan Nielsen 'Excited' About 'Awesome' LB Troy Andersen

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen is expected to have a big second season in 2023. With the help of new coach Ryan Nielsen, Andersen should take a big step.

Jeremy Brener | Feb 7, 2023

In this story:

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are getting well-acquainted with new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.

After hiring Nielsen from the New Orleans Saints last month, he has gotten to know a lot of the players he's set to coach in 2023, including rookie linebacker Troy Andersen.

Andersen, a second-round pick in 2022, recorded 69 tackles in his rookie year and flashed some of the potential that made him such a high selection.

"He has the skill set, he's big and I know talking with Troy, I'm excited about this particular player," Nielsen said. "There is definitely a place - he does a lot of things. His skill set allows him to do a lot of things that fit certain things that we want that position to do. He's been awesome - I've had three or four conversations and he's back at home and just kind of getting to know each other. So, that process is going well."

Andersen was drafted with the intention that he would eventually be the team's top tackler in the near future. While players like Rashaan Evans and Mykal Walker were ahead of him on the depth chart this past season, there's a chance Andersen could be given more of a responsibility in 2023.

While there isn't a guarantee that Andersen will be the Falcons' premier linebacker next season, he should be making some kind of progression. And given Nielsen's excitement about Andersen, it appears that progress is being made already.

Follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

Get your HOTlanta Falcons game tickets from SI Tickets ... here!

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Falcons? Click Here.

Follow Falcon Report on Twitter.

Want even more Atlanta Falcons news? Check out the SI.com team page here.

Published Feb 7, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.