No team has had an offseason more closely entwined with Atlanta’s than the Tennessee Titans, who just happened to line up as the first Falcons preseason opponent. These two teams have, by way of hiring and trades and signings, transformed one another’s fortunes in a way that is sort of remarkable.
That’s what happens when one of your key coaches leaves your team to become the head coach in the other conference, and when that same team trades you their superstar wide receiver. For a long time now, it has seemed like Tennessee is a place where former Falcons just tend to land—Harry Douglas, Ty Sambrailo and Vic Beasley all spring to mind—but these moves were more seismic and will unquestionably change the direction of both teams.