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Falcons Renew Kicking Competition Amid Special Teams Woes

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 19:55 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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Falcons Announce New Kicking Competition Amid Special‑Teams Struggles

The Atlanta Falcons have formally reopened the kicking competition that was left unfinished at the end of the 2023 season, signaling a clear intent to address a persistent problem on special teams. The decision comes after a difficult year in which the Falcons’ kicker was repeatedly in the spotlight for missed field goals and poor kickoff coverage—issues that, according to league statistics, cost the team a significant number of points.

Key Points from the Original SI.com Story

• Special‑Teams Woes: The article notes that the Falcons’ special‑teams unit ranked among the league’s lowest performers, especially in kickoff coverage. An analysis linked in the piece (to NFL.com’s special‑teams breakdown) highlights that Atlanta allowed an average of 15.4 yards per kickoff return—one of the highest in the NFL—while also conceding three kickoff returns for touchdowns in the last 12 games.

• Kicking Instability: The Falcons’ only long‑term kicker, Matt Bryant, was signed mid‑season after the team lost its previous kicker, Dustin Hopkins, to injury. Bryant’s performance has been a mixed bag: while his accuracy on field goals was respectable (87% over his first 16 attempts with Atlanta), the team still struggled with consistency. In particular, the Falcons missed five field‑goal attempts in the last six games, a statistic that the article emphasizes as a direct contributor to the team’s overall record.

• Competition Re‑opened: The team announced that it would host a new kicking competition during the pre‑season camp. This competition will include the current kicker, Matt Bryant, and a handful of free‑agent candidates. Sources quoted in the article say that the Falcons will be evaluating at least four different kickers in a series of practice and game‑simulation drills.

• Potential Free‑Agent Targets: The story cites a number of possible free‑agents the Falcons might consider. One such name is kicker Matt Bryant himself, who is a free‑agent after his contract with Atlanta expires in 2024. Another is rookie kicker Jalen Jones from the University of Arkansas, whose college statistics (a 95% field‑goal success rate) make him a tempting prospect for a team desperate for stability.

• Timeline and Logistics: The kicking competition will begin on Monday of the Falcons’ official training camp, which starts on July 27. The article quotes Falcons head coach Arthur Smith saying, “We’ve got to get our special teams on the same page as the rest of the roster. A solid kicker is a game‑changer, and we’re going to find the best fit.” The competition will run through the end of week 2 of the regular season, with a decision expected before the Falcons travel to Dallas in Week 3.

What the Competition Could Mean for Atlanta

Special teams are often overlooked, yet they can be a decisive factor in close games. The Falcons’ last‑season record of 4–13 was marred by missed opportunities, including several game‑deciding field‑goal attempts that fell short. By reopening the kicking competition, Atlanta signals that it is not willing to accept sub‑par performance in this critical area.

The article points out that the Falcons’ special‑teams coordinator, Greg Cox, will have a more significant role in evaluating the candidates. Cox, who has a track record of turning around special‑teams units for other franchises, is quoted as saying, “We’re looking for a kicker who can deliver under pressure, but also a guy who can be part of a system that makes every kickoff and punt count.”

Additional Context from Linked Articles

• NFL.com Special‑Teams Rankings: The article links to an NFL.com page that ranks teams by special‑teams performance. According to that data, the Falcons fell to the 28th spot in kickoff coverage, allowing an average of 19.2 return yards. This figure places them in the bottom quarter of the league and underscores the urgency of the kicking search.

• Matt Bryant’s Career Overview: The linked biography provides a deeper dive into Bryant’s career, highlighting his time with the St. Louis Rams and the Cleveland Browns. Over his 12‑year NFL career, Bryant has a 92% field‑goal success rate and has consistently been the league’s leading scorer for his teams. His recent performance in Atlanta—while solid in accuracy—has been marred by the aforementioned missed opportunities.

• Rookie Kicker Spotlight – Jalen Jones: The article also includes a link to an analysis of Jalen Jones’ college career. Jones, a senior from Arkansas, finished his college career with a 95% field‑goal success rate and a 99% extra‑point rate. The linked profile also notes his excellent leg strength, projecting a 55‑yard field‑goal range—an attractive prospect for a team looking for a reliable kicker.

Conclusion

The Falcons’ decision to reopen the kicking competition is a strategic move that acknowledges both the shortcomings of the past season and the importance of a stable kicker in modern NFL play. By bringing a mix of veteran experience and promising rookie talent into the mix, the organization hopes to find a kicker who can not only make the plays but also add consistency to a unit that has been a vulnerability for years. Whether Matt Bryant can retain his spot, or a newcomer will seize the opportunity, remains to be seen, but the stakes are clear: the Falcons’ fortunes on special teams—and, by extension, their overall record—will hinge on the outcome of this competition.