Matt Ryan
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan throws a baseball into a net as head coach Arthur Smith looks on during the team's mini camp football practice Tuesday, June 8, 2021, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons begin post-Julio Jones era in Smith's first minicamp

By Charles Odum Jun. 08, 2021 04:23 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, file photo, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons began their offseason training program Tuesday, May 25, 2021, without longtime star receiver Julio Jones, who apparently has no intention of returning to a rebuilding team that is still struggling to get under the salary cap. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
Falcons coach tight-lipped about Julio Jones' future

By Paul Newberry May. 25, 2021 01:42 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith yells to the team during an NFL football rookie minicamp on Friday, May 14, 2021, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Falcons' Ryan says he has more 'good football' to come at 36

By Charles Odum May. 18, 2021 03:09 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons' Kyle Pitts, right, practice with Richie Grant, left, during an NFL football rookie minicamp on Friday, May 14, 2021, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Modest Pitts won't project role as rookie TE with Falcons

By Charles Odum May. 14, 2021 05:44 PM EDT

Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, right, holds a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after he was chosen by the Atlanta Falcons with the fourth pick in the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 29, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Smith focuses on D on last day of 1st draft as Falcons coach

By Charles Odum May. 01, 2021 06:15 PM EDT

Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, right, is greeted by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after he was chosen by the Atlanta Falcons with the fourth pick in the NFL football draft Thursday, April 29, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Falcons add help at safety, select Central Florida's Grant

By Charles Odum Apr. 30, 2021 08:07 PM EDT

Falcons sign McCarron to provide needed depth at quarterback

Apr. 30, 2021 04:51 PM EDT
ATLANTA (AP) — The Falcons have added depth at quarterback by signing free agent A.J. McCarron to a one-year deal. McCarron, who was a...

Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, right, holds a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after he was chosen by the Atlanta Falcons with the fourth pick in the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 29, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Falcons pick Florida TE Kyle Pitts at No. 4 in NFL draft

By Paul Newberry Apr. 29, 2021 09:08 PM EDT

FILE - Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passes against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans, in this Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, file photo. Jones is a likely first round pick in the NFL Draft, April 29-May 1, 2021, in Cleveland.(AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
NFL draft could see record run of quarterbacks taken

By Josh Dubow Apr. 28, 2021 02:32 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 24, 1989, file photo, Tony Mandarich backs off the line during the second quarter at Anaheim stadium as the Green Bay Packers played the Los Angeles Rams in an NFL football game. Considered one of best offensive line prospects in history, lasted only three seasons in Green Bay. (AP photo/Alan Greth, File)
The famous and the flops: best and worst NFL 1st-round picks

By The Associated Press Apr. 24, 2021 12:19 PM EDT

FILE - Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws during an NFL Pro Day at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, in this Tuesday, March 30, 2021, file photo. The Division I Council meets Wednesday and Thursday, April 14-15, and at the top of the agenda — at least in terms of importance — is voting on a proposal that would grant all college athletes the right to transfer one time as undergraduates without sitting out season of competition. Some high-profile players such as quarterback Justin Fields, who transferred from Georgia to Ohio State in 2019, were granted waivers by the NCAA and it created an expectation that all players would be cleared to play right away. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File)
With No. 4 pick, Falcons facing major decision in NFL draft

By Paul Newberry Apr. 23, 2021 04:01 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2020, file photo, San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan watches during the second half of the team's NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J. The drama about which position the 49ers would target for their first pick of the NFL draft was erased as soon as they traded three first-round picks and a third-rounder to move up to No. 3. The question then turned to which quarterback prospect Shanahan and general manager John Lynch will hitch themselves to with that pick. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
After trade up to 3, 49ers now must decide which QB to take

By Josh Dubow Apr. 23, 2021 03:05 PM EDT

New Falcons GM Fontenot could select successor to QB Ryan

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2021 01:05 PM EDT
4. ATLANTA FALCONS (4-12) LAST SEASON: Coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff were fired following an 0-5 start. The Falcons...

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 file photo, Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack (51) works during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in Atlanta. Former Pro Bowl center Alex Mack is reuniting with coach Kyle Shanahan after signing a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers announced the three-year deal with Mack on Thursday, March 18, 2021 one day after agreeing to give left tackle Trent Williams a $138.1 million, six-year deal to remain in San Francisco.(AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
Falcons hope low-cost free agent class will make big splash

By Paul Newberry Mar. 25, 2021 01:46 PM EDT

Falcons face more painful salary-cap cuts before free agency

By The Associated Press Mar. 12, 2021 04:34 PM EST
ATLANTA FALCONS (4-12) UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: C Alex Mack, RB Todd Gurley, S Ricardo Allen, OG James Carpenter, DE Allen Bailey, DE...

FILE - Aug. 21, 2020, file photo, Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith instructs his players during NFL football training camp in Nashville, Tenn. Smith, the new Atlanta Falcons coach, has started building his staff by hiring offensive coordinator Dave Ragone, defensive coordinator Dean Pees and special teams coach Marquice Williams. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, Pool, File)
Falcons looking to get creative as they face major overhaul

By Paul Newberry Feb. 23, 2021 05:30 PM EST

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson walks off the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Houston. Star quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, because they weren’t authorized to discuss the request publicly. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
NFL carousel will spin soon, and not just for quarterbacks

By Barry Wilner Feb. 10, 2021 12:10 PM EST

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) steps up as he dodges assistant quarterbacks coach T.J. Yates during an NFL training camp football practice Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP, Pool)
Falcons hire former backup QB Yates as passing specialist

Jan. 30, 2021 11:57 AM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady reacts after winning the NFC championship NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. The Buccaneers defeated the Packers 31-26 to advance to the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Super matchup between QBs Mahomes, Brady for NFL title

By Josh Dubow Jan. 27, 2021 02:33 AM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Jan. 21, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Jan. 22 1920 — The New York Yankees announce they will be the first team to wear uniform numbers, according to the player’s position in...