Feb. 9, 2026, 5:31 a.m. ET
The last month has been a whirlwind for the Atlanta Falcons, and things don’t appear to be slowing down. The team’s new regime, led by president of football Matt Ryan, GM Ian Cunningham and head coach Kevin Stefanski, has already encountered its first major hurdle.
Edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was arrested on Saturday and is facing five felonies, including domestic violence charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated stalking. Just two days after being honored as a Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist at the NFL Honors, Pearce’s career is in serious danger.
In today’s Falcons recap, we examine the latest on Pearce’s arrest, look at a new ESPN report on Kirk Cousins’ future, and go through our first 2026 NFL mock draft of the year.
Rookie James Pearce released on bond, faces 5 felonies
Pearce is in some major legal trouble after Saturday’s incident, but he was released from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on Sunday evening, per ESPN’s Marc Raimondi. Will the Falcons cut ties with the troubled rookie, or will they simply let the legal system and NFL front offices handle the punishment? This is something that Ryan and Co. will have to figure out as this situation warrants serious attention. If Pearce is suspended by the league, it would void the remaining $7 million in guaranteed money on his contract. | READ
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Falcons to cut Kirk Cousins, per ESPN report
While there have been whispers over the last few weeks, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Falcons are expected to release veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins before the new league year begins on March 11. Cousins has two years remaining on the four-year, $180 million contract he signed in 2024, but a fresh start is probably the best option for both parties. Atlanta can move forward with Michael Penix Jr., and Cousins can go somewhere else and get a fresh start. | READ
Matt Ryan reveals timeline for Kirk Cousins decision
Ryan made the rounds during Super Bowl week and while he didn’t say much, the former league MVP offered a timeline for the team to make a decision on Cousins’ future. The veteran quarterback is expected to be released, and it sounds like it will happen within the first week of March. “We’ll have those discussions, but as you get into the calendar, those decisions will be made post-combine and pre-free agency,” Ryan told Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. | READ
Falcons Wire’s latest 7-round mock draft
The Falcons have no first-round pick this year, but that just means they have to work a little harder to find those mid-round gems in 2026. In our first seven-round mock draft of the year, we have Atlanta taking a powerful defensive lineman in Round 2 and a potential star wide receiver in the third. The Falcons also find a potential Kyle Pitts replacement in the fourth round. Check out all seven rounds of our latest projection | READ
PFF named Jalon Walker as 2026 breakout candidate
Since the team is unlikely to have Pearce next season, Jalon Walker will have to fill the void. The former Georgia star is a more well-rounded player and should only continue to get better. Pro Football Focus named Walker as the Falcons’ breakout candidate for 2026:
“Walker battled through some minor injuries to produce a 71.6 PFF overall grade as a rookie,” wrote PFF’s Dalton Wasserman. “He racked up 29 pressures, including six sacks. Perhaps the more surprising part is that his 81.3 PFF run-defense grade ranked sixth among qualified edge defenders. Walker was supposed to go through a longer transition period in the run game as he made the move from linebacker to edge defender. If he maintains that production while continuing to improve as a pass rusher, he could soon become a bona fide star.” | READ.
