New Falcons Stadium: Roger Goodell 'optimistic'

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Sunday he is optimistic that the Atlanta Falcons will get a new retractable roof stadium, according to the AJC.

The new open-aired stadium would replace the 20-year-old Georgia Dome:

"There is a recognition that it's the right thing to do and they are going through a very healthy process to find a solution that is going to work for all parties," Goodell said after speaking to the Rotary Club of Atlanta on Monday.

The NFL and the Falcons are interested in a "public-private partnership that would help the Falcons generate additional revenues," according to the AJC.

"When you are going to approach a complex project like this, there is always a lot about what is the right thing and the wrong thing," Goodell told the AJC. "What should be the participation level in the public-private partnership? Where to build it? What to build?"

Goodell said new NFL stadiums have made the Georgia Dome "obsolete."

The Falcons are helping their cause for a new stadium on the field. Atlanta is 8-0 and the only undefeated team in the NFL.

The Falcons are coming off a 19-13 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. They'll go for 9-0 when they host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at 1 p.m.