Backup quarterback

The possibility Kirk Cousins may remain in Atlanta through the Falcons’ offseason program and into training camp needs to be accepted. Externally, that is. It has been internally.

Morris, general manager Terry Fontenot and team owner Arthur Blank have repeatedly said they’re comfortable with this outcome, one that goes as far as Cousins being Michael Penix Jr.’s backup during the season. Assistant general manager Kyle Smith, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and quarterbacks coach TJ Yates expressed the same while speaking with media in recent weeks. All have praised Cousins’ professionalism throughout the situation, including his attendance for voluntary workouts, but they are moving forward on the same page.

That Cousins has handled this in a professional manner shouldn’t come as a surprise. Cousins is 36 years old and has been in the NFL since 2012. When the Falcons benched the veteran in favor of the rookie last season, Cousins held a press conference to address the matter and comported himself well. The way he handled the backup role during Atlanta’s final three games has also been praised after the season.

Unless something happens with the quarterback market in the NFL, the probability Cousins is still in Atlanta come September grows.

Defensive depth

The Falcons addressed their major defensive needs through free agency, the draft and undrafted free agency. They beefed up the front with Leonard Floyd, Morgan Fox, Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. They did the same with the secondary in Jordan Fuller, Xavier Watts, Billy Bowman Jr. and Cobee Bryant.

Now comes the tricky part of incorporating the newcomers with the returners and figuring out not only the starting lineup but also the key rotation pieces. Not everyone is going to take the field at the same time. It’ll be up to the Falcons’ new defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, and his coaching staff to figure out the best packages.

Defensive line coach Nate Ollie, outside linebackers coach Jacquies Smith and defensive assistant John Timu have been working specifically on the Falcons’ pass-rush attack. They’ve decided, for example, Walker will focus his training as an edge rusher to begin with.

Assistant head coach/defense Jerry Gray, defensive pass game coordinator Mike Rutenberg and secondary coach Justin Hood are tasked with organizing the back end. They’ve determined, as another example, Bowman will play at nickel rather than safety, like he primarily did in college.

Clearly, the Falcons have a lot of pieces available to them. Now, it’s time to build the puzzle.