​For almost a decade, the Atlanta Falcons have been closer to the bottom of the league than the top after failing to make the postseason since 2017, the second-longest playoff drought in the NFL.However, could things be changing for the franchise soon?AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementA recent article from Blogging Dirty labeled the Falcons as the NFL’s biggest sleeper entering the 2026 season. While that may sound like offseason hype, there actually could be some legitimate reasons to believe Atlanta could surprise people.The biggest one easily starts on the sidelines.With Kevin Stefanski taking over as the Falcons head coach, newfound optimism has hit Atlanta. The former Browns coach did more with the Browns over the last few seasons than the Falcons did during that span. Stefanski took the Browns to a playoff appearance in his first season, something he is hoping to do yet again this year in the NFC South.Unlike his Browns rosters of old, Stefanski is inheriting a roster that isn’t lacking in star power, and what seems to be a front office that is looking to be the change instead of one of the laughingstocks inside the league. Kevin Stefanski inherits a roster that isn’t lacking star power. Drake London has developed into one of the league’s better receivers, Bijan Robinson remains the centerpiece of the offense, and the Falcons offensive weapons may finally have more depth around them, especially than they did a year ago.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLast season ended with Atlanta cycling through quarterbacks and wide receivers just trying to get healthy enough to finish games. That’s a difficult way to build consistency. This year, whoever wins the battle for the starting job at quarterback should have a higher ceiling.Jason Kandel, the author of the article, believes “Tua Tagovailoa is a considerable upgrade from an aging Kirk Cousins, and Michael Penix Jr. is also set up for more success in a better offensive system with Stefanski.”Tua does fit with Stefanski quite well, especially with Robinson behind him and the heavy use of play action. If Atlanta can unlock the same Tagovailoa from a few years back, multiple Falcons receivers, not just London, could be in for big seasons.The defense, which set a franchise record for sacks last year, will obviously have to maintain, or hopefully improve, under defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Still, it won’t be as easy as one would hope.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEdge rusher James Pearce Jr., who led the team in sacks last year, is likely to miss a few games as a suspension is probable to begin the season.The schedule is also loaded with elite quarterbacks, like Aaron Rodgers, the very first week, looking to make one final run at a Super Bowl before retirement; if they want to surprise the league, no opponent on their schedule this year is going to make it easy.But if Stefanski can clean up the mistakes that have haunted this franchise and the quarterback position sta