Falcons 2026 NFL Schedule Released for Tua Tagovailoa, Kevin Stefanski's 1st Season

The Atlanta Falcons will start out the Kevin Stefanski era with one of the lightest schedules in the NFL.

The Falcons found out what the team's first season with Stefanski, and potentially quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, will look like with the release of the NFL's 2026 schedules.

Here's a look at what the Falcons' schedule as the franchise looks to regroup from missing the playoffs in Raheem Morris' final season as head coach.

Full schedule information available on the team's official website.

---

Analysis

Only four teams outside Atlanta set to play 2026 opponents who were less successful last season.

The Falcons' opponents combined for a win percentage of .465 last season, giving the franchise the fifth-easiest strength of schedule behind the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts.

The Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 14 after dropping to 4-9 last season, although Atlanta went on to win four straight on the team's way to finishing 8-9.

The Atlanta front office still responded to the playoff miss by firing Morris and former general manager Terry Fontenot.

New GM Ian Cunningham and Stefanski highlighted their early offseason by signing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa following his release by the Miami Dolphins.

Stefanski has said he wants there to be a quarterback competition between Penix and Tagovailoa, but Penix will need to get healthy first.

Given that Michael Penix is still undergoing rehab on his surgically-repaired ACL, that could potentially put Tagovailoa on track for a Week 1 start.

The Falcons lost star linebacker Kaden Elliss this offseason, but brought in Christian Harris as a potential replacement.

Atlanta also worked on adding more pass catchers alongside Drake London and Kyle Pitts by bringing in Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus.

They'll hope those additions, alongside a new kicker in Nick Folk, will be enough to create a more competitive team behind either Tagovailoa or Penix this season.

---

Pivotal matchups

Taking a step closer to playoff contention will mean taking on three other division teams hoping to get better next season.

The Carolina Panthers are hoping that their defense can take a step forward after signing Jaelen Phillips and Devin Lloyd, and that their offense can do the same behind development from Bryce Young.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expecting to bounce back with a healthier season from Baker Mayfield and other key players who missed time in 2025, while the New Orleans Saints have been working on building their offense around Tyler Shough.

In addition to the NFC South, the Falcons will be playing the NFC North and AFC North this season.

That leaves the Falcons facing a host of 2025 playoff teams in the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears.

The Falcons also have some potentially tough matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders, who could each be seeking bounce-back seasons after losing their quarterbacks to injury for stretches of the 2025 campaign.

Another game to watch for the Falcons next season will take place in Spain. The Falcons are heading to Madrid to play in Bernabéu, the home venue of Real Madrid C.F., in one of nine international games taking place across the NFL this season.