Falcons defensive leader looking to put Atlanta back on the map in the NFL

When people think of high school football, four states immediately come to mind: Florida, Texas, California & Georgia. In college football, the University of Georgia has become the new powerhouse, the standard for everyone to follow behind Head Coach Kirby Smart. In every level of football, you can't be elite without dealing with the red clay of Georgia...until you hit the NFL.

Ever since Super Bowl LI, the Atlanta Falcons have been a lowly dog chasing its tail, trying to figure out how they got so close, but ended up being far away than ever. It's been six years since the Falcons made the playoffs and seven since they've won an NFC South division crown. Atlanta is not only in a slump, they've been in a downright depression. Defensive leader Jessie Bates believes that seven years is more than long enough. It's time to put Atlanta back on the map.

"You walk in this building and you see the investments that Arthur Blank has put in this building, I was joking around with guys, it almost felt like an official visit, walking through the locker room and walking through the weight room.

That's what Atlanta should be known for, world-class everything that we're doing. It's just time to go put in the work now and get this city where it needs to be."

Blank has invested $25-$30 million into building these new facilities , changing the feel of a team that has stagnated for the better part of a decade.

The 2024 Falcons feel new, they feel fresh, they feel like they always should have been with the talent they've brought in over the past few years. Not many teams have an array of weapons on offense like Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and Drake London. Not many teams have an offensive line that not only impressed last season but is coming back this year, ready to dominate the league again. Even looking at the quarterback position, not many teams look to be set up for the next decade, if all works out like it should.

If Atlanta can live up to the expectations that they've put on themselves, not only will Atlanta be put back on the map, they have a chance to stay there for a long time.