Falcons’ New-Look Pass Rush Gives Reason For Optimism
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PITTSBURGH – The Atlanta Falcons dropped a frustrating game in Pittsburgh on Sunday, but their new-look pass rush gave them some reason for optimism.
This unit was facing plenty of questions coming into Week 1. Nearly every contributor from the record-setting unit from 2025 is either off the active roster, suspended, or injured. Several new contributors filled out the front seven, and they held up against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ offense.
“I think Z (Za’Darius Smith) gave us some really good reps out there,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said after the game. “Bralen Trice was out there, and Yasir Abdullah, who we recently acquired. It’s a lot of new guys that we’re figuring out our roles for them. I’m really proud of them and their effort in a bunch of their roles.”
Smith played his first game since a sudden retirement last season and had a standout defensive performance in the loss, finishing with two critical sacks and three tackles for loss. These takedowns came at big moments, with one sack ending the first half and another giving the Falcons the ball back late in the game.
The veteran was a strong presenc...