The Falcons are dealing with a massive headache following the arrest of their star rookie, James Pearce Jr., earlier this month.  The defensive end was reportedly taken into custody near Miami after a police chase and a car accident following an alleged dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson. Now, a social media update has emerged.

“James Pearce Jr. just unfollowed the accounts of the Atlanta Falcons, Jalon Walker and all his #Falcons teammates on Instagram! Is it time to start panicking in Atlanta?” ATL Sports Zone reported on X.

Fans have been worried for a while, and Pearce’s recent social media decision has only added fuel to the speculations. In the world of modern sports, this “unfollowing” often signals that a player is unhappy or preparing to leave, leading many in Atlanta to wonder if it is time to panic about their star defender. This reaction comes after a statement by the head coach.

During a press conference last Wednesday, Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the media for the first time since the incident. While he was there to introduce his new coaching coordinators, he briefly touched on the arrest. 

He told reporters that the team has nothing to add beyond their official statement and asked for respect regarding the legal process. It was a short, tense moment that delivered more questions than answers.

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Losing Pearce would be a devastating blow to the Falcons’ defense. Last year, the team invested heavily in him by trading away their 2026 first-round pick to move up in the draft.

That gamble originally paid off on the field, as Pearce set a rookie record with 10.5 sacks. He was the center of a rebuilt pass rush that helped the team set a new franchise record for total sacks in a single season. But things took a turn for the worse in early February when he was arrested.

Despite a strong finish to the season, the Falcons moved on from their previous leadership and brought in a new front office, including GM Ian Cunningham and President Matt Ryan.

This group was supposed to focus on winning in 2026, but they now have to decide if Pearce fits into their long-term plans. Balancing his incredible talent against these serious legal issues will be the toughest test the new leadership has faced so far.

James Pearce Jr. still maintains his innocence despite facing five felony charges

Falcons star James Pearce Jr. is currently facing five felony charges following a serious incident near Miami involving his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson. 

According to police reports, the situation began as a domestic dispute after Jackson ended their three-year relationship. When officers arrived, Pearce allegedly refused to cooperate and fled the scene in his Lamborghini, reportedly striking a police officer’s knee in the process. He eventually crashed his car and was taken into custody after a brief struggle.

James Pearce Jr.’s legal troubles are serious and crystal clear: he’s facing two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, aggravated battery on a police officer, fleeing from law enforcement, and resisting arrest.

Jackson told investigators that she was attempting to drive to a police station for safety when Pearce intentionally rammed the back of her vehicle with his SUV. Since the arrest, a judge has issued a pre-trial stay-away order, and Pearce was released on a $20,500 bond.

Pearce’s attorney, Jacob Nunez, has stated that the young edge-rusher maintains his innocence. In a public statement, Nunez emphasized that the current narrative does not represent the entire situation and expressed confidence in his client’s future.

“Mr. Pearce maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, it is hardly the full, complete story,” Nunez said. “We look forward to vigorously defending our client and remain confident that he will continue contributing positively to both his team and the community.”

The Falcons organization is currently in a “wait-and-see” mode as the legal process unfolds. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who coached Pearce during a standout rookie season where he recorded 10.5 sacks, admitted to being deeply concerned about the news. He noted that it is far too early to determine if Pearce will be available for the upcoming season.