Julio Jones
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

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 (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

Terry Fontenot, left, and New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis watch Senior Bowl practice in Mobile, Ala., in this Jan. 20, 2015, photo. The Atlanta Falcons have named Terry Fontenot the team’s general manager. The 40-year-old Fontenot becomes Atlanta’s first Black general manager after spending 16 seasons with division rival New Orleans. (Evan Woodbery/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)
Falcons name Saints' Terry Fontenot as general manager

By Charles Odum Jan. 19, 2021 08:40 AM EST

FILE - Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith instructs his players during NFL football training camp in Nashville, Tenn., in this Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, file photo. The New York Jets interviewed Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, for their head coaching vacancy. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, Pool, File)
Falcons pick Titans offensive coordinator Smith as new coach

By Charles Odum Jan. 15, 2021 05:09 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) congratulates Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) after an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Falcons interview Saints' Fontenot for Atlanta GM position

Jan. 06, 2021 07:01 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, left, hugs head coach Raheem Morris before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Falcons interview Rams' Holmes, Colts' Brown in GM search

Jan. 05, 2021 02:23 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Falcons interview Chiefs' Eric Bieniemy, 49ers' Robert Saleh

By Charles Odum Jan. 04, 2021 06:14 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Brady throws for 4 TDs, Bucs pull away from Falcons 44-27

By Fred Goodall Jan. 03, 2021 04:34 PM EST

Patrick Mahomes watching Chiefs' finale against Chargers

By The Associated Press Jan. 03, 2021 12:23 PM EST
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is inactive for their meaningless regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, which means he will...

Red-hot Brady, Bucs look to end on winning note vs. Falcons

By The Associated Press Dec. 31, 2020 12:53 PM EST
ATLANTA (4-11) at TAMPA BAY (10-5) Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox OPENING LINE - Buccaneers by 7 1/2 RECORD...

Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell breaks up an incomplete pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Koo's miss adds to Falcons' long list of ways to lose games

By George Henry Dec. 28, 2020 05:00 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, right, is congratulated by teammate Steven Means after intercepting a pass from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Chiefs clinch No. 1 seed when Falcons' Koo misses late FG

By Dave Skretta Dec. 27, 2020 04:18 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2020, file photo, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry plays against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game, in Cleveland. The Browns will try to earn a playoff spot without four wide receivers, including star Landry, their starting middle linebacker and his replacement due to COVID-19 protocols. But despite the six players being out, an NFL spokesman said Cleveland's game at the New York Jets will be played as scheduled on Sunday, Dec. 27. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Dwayne Haskins starts for Washington despite breaking rules

By The Associated Press Dec. 27, 2020 12:04 PM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Dec. 26, 2020 10:00 AM EST
Dec. 27 1953 — The Detroit Lions edge the Cleveland Browns 17-16 for the NFL championship, winning on a 33-yeard scoring pass and Doak...

Atlanta Falcons Julio Jones, right, speaks with Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (25) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Jones, Mack declared out for Falcons vs. Kansas City

By The Associated Press Dec. 25, 2020 04:12 PM EST

Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks strong safety Jamal Adams (33) during the first half of an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Football Team, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
A bonus for NFL fans in Week 16: 4 straight days of games

By Barry Wilner Dec. 24, 2020 04:15 PM EST

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Dec. 24, 2020 10:00 AM EST
Dec. 27 1953 — The Detroit Lions edge the Cleveland Browns 17-16 for the NFL championship, winning on a 33-yeard scoring pass and Doak...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, left, and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan greet each other after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Perplexing Falcons reach 10 losses with another blown lead

By Charles Odum Dec. 21, 2020 03:59 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) makes the catch against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons 12/20/2020

Dec. 20, 2020 01:26 PM EST