FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Falcons Owner and Chairman Arthur M. Blank visited the Falcons' facility in Flowery Branch on Tuesday for the first day of padded practice. He toured portions of the newly renovated facilities and spoke to local media members.
Blank was asked about quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. as well as the increased visibility of the team on a national stage in 2024. Here are the highlights.
Falcons sell out season tickets
The organization announced Tuesday morning that all season tickets have been sold ahead of the 2024 season. The organization was reported to have over 95% of fans renewing in the first quarter for the 2024 season. It is the highest renewal rate in nearly two decades for the organization.
"To see us get back to the position we were in in many years of being sold out, it's a tribute to our fans," Blank said. "It's a tribute to the franchise and to the stadium itself. We've put in a lot of effort -- with the stadium now in its seventh year -- to make sure its in pristine shape and current in all ways. ... We want to make sure that we have a competitive product on the field for our fans to enjoy. And I think we will."
Along the same lines of stadium efficiency and game day plans, Blank was asked to weigh in on the hot topic debate of the viability of grass fields vs. artificial turf. This February, the NFLPA released survey results that stated 92% of players surveyed said they preferred to play on grass rather than artificial turf. Blank said he, too, saw the results, but added that not all playing surfaces are the same whether grass fields or turf. However, he is confident that Mercedes-Benz Stadium's playing surface is one players find acceptable, especially considering the amount of usage the field gets between the Falcons, Atlanta United and any other team from those two sports the stadium hosts.
"We will continue to work closely with the players, the NFLPA, in making sure that we have grass and artificial fields that meet all the standards," Blank said. "... We've had virtually no complaints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. That field is constantly refurbished and replaced because it's used both for soccer and for American football."
Blank responds to quarterback questions
The Falcons made headlines this offseason when they signed Kirk Cousins to a $180 million contract and used their No. 8 overall pick to draft Michael Penix Jr. For the first time since Penix was selected, Blank was asked about the process of using that significant capital on the position. Blank summarized the decision in a way others in the organization have before him. Long story short, the Falcons were not looking to make the same mistake twice.
"We've been through a situation post-Matt Ryan," Blank said. "We've seen that movie when we didn't have a franchise quarterback, and we didn't want to to repeat that again. I certainly didn't."
Blank said he "couldn't be happier" with the way the quarterback position has shaped out this offseason. He doubled down on the idea of a succession plan, even cracking a smile when talking about how age can sometimes creep up on you, and you need a plan in place to combat it.
"Kirk will be 36 at the start of the season and so we hope and pray he's got three to four great years in front of him, maybe beyond that, who knows?" Blank said. "We also know that there will be a point that we'll need to transition. We want to make sure we do that smoothly."
The longtime owner was also asked about his involvement in the decision-making process for roster building now that Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris report directly to him instead of through Rich McKay. He said he was kept abreast and informed of every decision but that, ultimately, the choice was theirs to make.
"It's a decision made by the coaching staff and the personnel department," Blank said. "And that is how it should be. But I am aware of everything. ... They do not have to clear it with me. They just have to make me aware of what's going on. I don't like surprises, and they know that, but its not up to me to make those decisions. It's up to them to make those decisions and for me to understand the logic behind it.
"I am very sensitive -- on behalf of our fan base and everybody connected to the franchise -- on not having a period of time post-Kirk Cousins and however long that may be, God willing a long period of time, to not having a gap again between that kind of franchise quarterback and being in a spin cycle of a washing machine and not being able to get out."
On the national stage
For the first time since 2022, the Falcons will find themselves in a prime-time slot. And not just one, multiple, on Monday, Thursday and Sunday nights.
The last prime-time game the Falcons played in was a Thursday night bout against the Panthers in 2022. Their last time hosting a prime-time game was also a Thursday night match up against the Patriots in 2021. Last season, the Falcons didn't have a single prime-time game, and they haven't played in a Sunday or Monday night game since Week 4 of the 2020 season.
Things have changed, and changed rapidly, which to Blank means that excitement is building quickly around what's going on in Atlanta.
"We have to continue to find ways to make sure we put a product out there that our fans really want to see," Blank said. "And they want to see competitive teams. ... They want to see the right type of matchups. So, the fact that this year we've gone from not having (these prime-time slots) because our record has not been what we wanted it to be, to now having four national games this year ... is a tribute to the (national) feeling that we'll have a much more competitive team this year."
And Blank's own expectations for the team in 2024? He answered that, too.
"My hope is that we will be in the playoffs, and I have every reason to think we will be very competitive this year," Blank said. "But you gotta play the schedule. You gotta play the teams. ... I am definitely optimistic. Certainly as optimistic as I've been in several years."
