Falcons, Packers face scrutiny after turbulent 2026 offseason

The Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers head toward the 2026 NFL preseason with major roster turnover and front-office questions after an eventful offseason. Analysts have flagged both clubs as candidates to take a step back in the NFC based on their personnel decisions and losses.

In Atlanta, a new organizational structure is taking shape with franchise icon Matt Ryan installed as president of football operations. The Falcons also hired Kevin Stefanski as head coach, a move that has drawn attention because of his recent results and the uncertainty surrounding the team’s quarterback plan.

That quarterback room centers on Michael Penix Jr. and the addition of Tua Tagovailoa, a pairing that has prompted debate about ceiling and durability. Atlanta also committed major money to wide receiver Drake London with a $141 million extension, while the club’s most notable free-agent spending was limited and it entered the draft without a first-round pick due to the James Pearce Jr. trade.

The offseason also included off-field concern around Pearce. He faced charges tied to a domestic dispute, and while a pretrial intervention program could result in those charges being dropped, a league suspension remains a possibility.

Atlanta’s new hierarchy and the quarterback question

Ryan’s expanded role has been presented as a defining element of Atlanta’s reset, including a leadership chain that places him above new general manager Ian Cunningham. The overall direction has been questioned not only because of the quarterback uncertainty, but also because the Falcons’ biggest free-agent contracts were small in overall value and went to kicker Nick Folk and punter Jake Bailey.

On the field, the Falcons still have a collection of skill-position talent, with Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts cited as potential cornerstone players alongside London. The central issue remains whether the quarterback position can stabilize quickly enough to keep the offense from slipping.

Green Bay’s departures and rising pressure in the NFC North

Green Bay, meanwhile, has made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons but has finished as the NFC’s No. 7 seed each time. The critique entering 2026 is that the Packers have hovered around the league’s middle tier—and that the offseason may have weakened the roster.

The Packers lost several key contributors, including wide receiver Romeo Doubs, linebacker Quay Walker and left tackle Rasheed Walker in free agency. They also parted ways with cornerback Nate Hobbs and offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins, and traded away pass rusher Rashan Gary.

Compounding the concern, Micah Parsons was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list, and running back Josh Jacobs was described as dealing with legal issues. With NFC North rivals improving on paper, Green Bay’s margin for error looks smaller than it has been during its recent run of postseason appearances.

What to watch next is whether Atlanta’s new decision-making structure can quickly settle the quarterback plan and whether Green Bay can offset its losses before the regular season begins.