Three hottest seats on Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons finished 7-10 for the third year in a row in 2023. That puts pressure on multiple people within the organization, from the front office to the players. 

Here are three who are feeling the heat and must deliver big seasons this fall.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins

Once the Falcons get the memes out of their system, they'll need to win games with Cousins, who they signed to a sizable four-year, $180 million contract this offseason.

If he doesn't, everyone will be laughing at, and not with, them.

Atlanta hasn't made the postseason since 2017, and Cousins' signing clearly is meant to bring the franchise back to the playoffs. The one hitch in that plan is Cousins hasn't reliably done that in the past. In eight seasons as a full-time starter (excluding 2023 due to his season-ending Achilles injury), Cousins has reached the playoffs three times, including just twice with the Vikings.

General manager Terry Fontenot

Falcons owner Arthur Blank passed on Bill Belichick for the team's head-coaching opening this offseason. While Blank refuted suggestions that Belichick wanted full personnel control, the decision still puts pressure on Fontenot to deliver a winner in his fourth year.

Since his hiring as the team's general manager in 2021, the Falcons have 21 wins, tied with the Jaguars for the ninth fewest in the league. The 2024 NFL Draft marks his fourth consecutive draft with a top-10 pick. If his efforts lead to Atlanta picking in the top 10 again next year, this will likely be his last.

Tight end Kyle Pitts

Considering some of the players who were selected after Pitts at No. 4 in the 2021 NFL Draft, his selection becomes worse and worse after each unproductive season. Wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle were drafted at Nos. 5 and 6, respectively, followed by All-Pros at offensive tackle (Penei Sewell, No. 7), cornerback (Patrick Surtain II, No. 9) and edge-rusher (Micah Parsons, No. 12).

In three seasons (44 games), Pitts has scored only six touchdowns, four fewer than Lions 2023 rookie tight end Sam LaPorta, who had 10 touchdowns last season. With Cousins as his quarterback, Pitts has his best opportunity to put up big numbers since his rookie season when Matt Ryan was throwing him the football.

The Falcons have until May 2 to pick up his fifth-year option (worth $10.878 million), which seems fairly likely. His production this fall could determine whether he plays out the 2025 season on that fifth-year option or earns an extension to keep him in Atlanta long-term.