It’s Time For The Falcons’ Offensive Line To Set The Tone

The Falcons’ offensive line earned major plaudits in 2022 for how well they ran the ball with limited resources. Despite being severely undermanned at quarterback and in the skill position areas, they managed to stay competitive in most games thanks to a punishing ground game. It was one of Arthur Smith’s few highlights during his time in Atlanta. It also showcased Dwayne Ledford’s capabilities as an offensive line coach. That season set the stage for a unified offensive line to develop into one of the league’s best units.

They never lived up to those expectations. They couldn’t run the ball efficiently in numerous games in 2023. An inability to pass protect consistently with their five linemen against the top defenses cost them in 2024. Penalties were also problematic, with Matthew Bergeron, Chris Lindstrom, Jake Matthews, and Ryan Neuzil committing seven or more that season.

Kaleb McGary’s season-ending injury set the unit back in 2025, leading to an overreliance on running to the left and an inability to convert in short-yardage situations. While the line did enough to enable Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier to be successful, the fact that both backs were terrific played a major role in the team’s success on the ground.

There’s no telling how injuries can impact an offensive line. Thankfully for the Falcons, Jawaan Taylor is set to start practicing after being activated off the PUP list. The veteran right tackle should have plenty to prove after multiple disappointing seasons in Kansas City.

Entering the season with a healthy offensive line raises expectations for a unit that has been coasting more on reputation than overwhelming opposing fronts in recent seasons. Hiring a football scientist to coach them is one of the biggest reasons behind their potential elevation as a unit.

The Bill Callahan effect

Although it was disappointing for many within the organization to see Ledford not retained, the opportunity to bring in a highly regarded coach with over five decades of experience—especially one who worked closely with Kevin Stefanski during his best years in Cleveland—had to be taken. Bill Callahan has established himself as one of the best positional coaches in football, from his success at the college level with Wisconsin and Nebraska to his outstanding work with the Raiders, Jets, and Cowboys.

His emphasis on attention to detail has brought out the best in several units. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Daniel Flick wrote a fantastic feature about Callahan’s journey as a coach, highlighting his ability to develop talent. Matt Slauson and Brandon Moore, who are two former guards who started over 110 games, praised how relentless he is in teaching the technical nuances of blocking.

From running arduous drills in the summer heat to conducting lengthy film sessions, players were consistently evolving under the coach who led the Raiders to their last Super Bowl appearance in 2003.

Callahan assembles specific drills to help offensive linemen master their craft in various areas. He focuses on where centers, guards, and tackles must improve with their hands, footwork, and positioning to maximize their capabilities. That persistence led to players such as Lincoln Kennedy, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, Tyron Smith, Travis Fredrick, and Joel Bitonio having some of the best seasons in their prestigious careers under his tutelage.

Exceptional coaching can make a decent unit turn into a very good group that knows how to get to their spots and handle their assignments. With how the Falcons are built, they are going to lean on a more diverse running game to stretch opposing fronts. That is where Callahan can use his expertise to work in unison with offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to impose their will on the ground.

The overall blocking and schematic outlook will have to be on point for likely opening-day starter Tua Tagovailoa to operate functionally. Callahan can only do so much there, as the personnel up front will have to elevate their game for the passing game to have a genuine chance at being effective.

Belief must be fulfilled

In the last three seasons, the offensive line has blocked for a non-NFL-caliber starter in Desmond Ridder, a high-level backup and low-level starter in Taylor Heinicke, a limited 35-year-old (at the time) quarterback recovering from a torn Achilles in Kirk Cousins, and a wildly inconsistent left-handed gunslinger who has a tendency of being indecisive and holding onto the ball for too long in Michael Penix Jr. They will most likely enter this season blocking for a quarterback who looks to get the ball out fast with his quick release in Tagovailoa; if not, it’ll be a version of Penix the team has been working exstensively with.

His style can make it easier on offensive linemen, particularly with how often screens were called in Miami. That is an area where the Falcons struggled mightily last season. Jake Matthews told The Athletic’s Josh Kendall that the team has spent ten minutes strictly working on screens during some practices. It’s a wise strategy with playmakers who can create after the catch like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and ideally Zachariah Branch.

The offensive line will still need to prove they can consistently block in pure drop-back situations. There were many instances last season when opponents would create easy openings off twists. It wasn’t solely because Elijah Wilkerson was overmatched at right tackle.

Bergeron and Neuzil were caught missing assignments on several occasions. Those are two interior linemen that the franchise rewarded over the past two offseasons. Neuzil performed better than expected in his first full season as a starter, but he did have his issues in pass protection.

The decision to reward Bergeron was surprising, given his comments from a few weeks ago about entering a contract year. Signing a guard to a massive, long-term deal after not coming close to playing at a Pro Bowl level raised plenty of eyebrows.

As The Falcoholic’s own Aaron Freeman said best, he should have to show he can play like a top-tier guard before being accepted as one. While Bergeron did improve last season after an uneven 2024, it’s hard to process him being next to Tyler Smith as the league’s highest-paid guard, given Smith has been playing at a high level since entering the league in 2022.

How Bergeron and Neuzil play will be one of the most significant factors in the offensive line’s performance this season. Chris Lindstrom is expected to continue playing at an All-Pro level. While there will be some concern about when Jake Matthews could decline, he didn’t show any signs of falling off last season.

There are obvious questions about Taylor at right tackle, but he shouldn’t be considered a long-term answer. Bergeron and Neuzil are in positions where they need to be above-average starters. That must happen for the unit to flourish this season.

Final pieces

The growing uneasiness at right tackle is understandable, given Taylor’s recent injuries and Kansas City not hesitating to move on from him after three consecutive seasons of committing 13+ penalties. This is still a veteran who has played over 1,000 snaps every year in his career until last season. He possesses the experience to be a short-term solution.

If he can’t stay healthy, there is reason to believe the new regime will be far more proactive in finding a capable replacement. They won’t make the same mistakes the previous regime did in failing to properly address the glaring holes at right tackle and wide receiver.

As well as Wilkerson started, he became a liability in rough losses to San Francisco and Miami. The veteran never recovered from those ugly performances, yet the previous coaching staff kept him on the field. Stefanski made his share of personnel adjustments in Cleveland with conviction. Although the results were mixed, he was willing to make changes where necessary rather than being stubborn by maintaining faith in overmatched players.

The inclusion of Todd McClure could be highly beneficial over time. Bringing in one of the most beloved players in franchise history as the coordinator of player development, while assisting in a leadership role, creates a more solidified organizational infrastructure. McClure’s experience leading several great offensive lines while thriving in different blocking schemes should be valued as the current offensive line adjusts to major schematic changes.

After five years of retaining most of their starters with the same offensive line coach, there are notable changes up front for the Falcons’ offense. Change can create some apprehension, but sometimes a unit needs to be taken out of its comfort zone. The offensive line didn’t become the dependable, above-average unit most expected after their excellent performances in 2022.

While the starting unit didn’t need a total revamp, more fresh ideas are needed after running mostly outside zone concepts over the past two seasons. Led by a new coaching staff with years of success and players entering their prime as starters, the offensive line can finally expand as a group and become one of the pillars of the team’s identity.