Tori McElhaney answers your questions.

Tori McElhaney

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. It's not like there hasn't been news this week. Heck, there's been a lot of it. I would argue you wouldn't really know that based on the questions submitted to this week's Mailbag. Many of them were forward thinking beyond this year despite we're only in Week 12.

That should tell you everything you need to know about where the Falcons are at the moment.

So, without much preamble because who wants that anyways let's get into your questions in a not-so-great week in Falconsland.

Mike S. from Calgary

Two questions and we're going to need Will's endless positivity for the second one with all the doom and gloom out there right now...

What does a successful season look like now, with playoffs and getting a better sense of Michael Penix Jr. as a starting quarterback no longer on the table?

A successful season is getting as close to a .500 record as you possibly can. It's seeing offensive improvement on third down, stringing drives together, scoring points. It's seeing what you can continue to develop in young defensive talent. It's pinpointing precisely who you can move forward with (in regards to future free agents), and who you can replace. It's seeing what type of asset you have in Kirk Cousins, because you will have to face his future sooner rather than later. It's still making sure Penix gets what he needs to better develop and remain confident throughout his recovery.

It's not giving up.

Is the shape of this team going into the future as dire as some other outlets have made it seem, should fans be worried?

Yes. Fans should be worried. The dream and the plan they were sold throughout the last two offseasons is not going to be the reality.

The Falcons had a plan in place to not be in quarterback purgatory again when they signed Cousins and drafted Penix. Unless Cousins puts on a clinic the next seven weeks, unless Penix makes the speediest of speedy recoveries, that's where they could be with Penix not likely to return until the early months of the 2026 season.

The Falcons set the expectations that they'd be a playoff team this year. They are not. And they don't have a lot of wiggle room in the salary cap space, a projected $4 million with Cousins on the roster, seeing as he makes up 19.2% of the expected cap in 2026. Those numbers, of course, change based on what happens with Cousins. But at this point? I have no idea what's going to happen with that contract.

All is not lost, though, particularly if they can recoup some of that Cousins money. There are still things to be hopeful for when it comes to this roster potential extensions for Bijan Robinson and Drake London, a talented young group of defenders that will be in Atlanta for the foreseeable future, a draft to prepare and plan for (even without a first-round pick). But all of that doesn't erase the fact that the Falcons are farther away than what they told us they would be at this time.

Jeremy S. from Newnan, GA

I know it's way too early to be talking about this, but what will the Falcons do for the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft? They traded it away to the Rams, and they are going to need some help especially on the offensive and defensive line next year.

Unless they want to trade away Robinson or London, they are not going to recoup that first-round pick. And that is not going to happen. So, if I were you I would work under the assumption that they are not going to picking in the first round next offseason.

They could maybe play around with their picks (and future capital) and get back into the second, third and fourth rounds. They have five picks in 2026. Can you leverage anything to get a better chance at a more premium player? Maybe. But enough to get you back in the first? Nah, fam. I am sorry. I wouldn't hold my breath.

Mike S. from Calgary (again, because he asked some good questions)

Is it too early to fire up the free agent/draft needs articles, because I certainly don't want to hear about winning out and going 10-7. I think we need: WR, TE, nose tackle, linebacker and maybe now's the time to talk about long-term kicker. What do you think the team needs next year to compete for the division? I think some of those are better addressed in the draft and some others will be free agency.

It's not a flashy position but you have to start thinking about your offensive tackle spot long-term. For as much of an iron man as Jake Matthews has been, the reality is he's in the twilight of his career. Kaleb McGary will return next season from injury, but he is on a shorter-term deal. You have to figure out a plan there.

While you're at it, you have to address the center position, too. I think Ryan Neuzil is a good backup, but you need a solidified starter, in my opinion.

Then, there's your skill guys: The wide receivers, tight ends and (yes, if you don't bring back Tyler Allgeier) running backs of the bunch. This season has shown the lack of depth the Falcons currently have at receiver. Outside of London, no one is producing at a clip you can rely on. You need more out of that group for sure.

And no one may want to hear it, but the Falcons will have to look at quarterbacks, too, considering you don't know if you will have Penix available to you to start 2026.

Nose tackle, eh. I can take it or leave it. Kicker, yeah, you gotta figure it out. But all of the positions I mentioned above? That's where I think my priorities lie right now.

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