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Falcons | Matt Judon has not started talks Mon Feb 24, 06:03 PM
Atlanta Falcons impending free-agent LB Matt Judon has not had any contract talks with the Falcons at this point.
Link to storyMatthew Judon player page
Atlanta Falcons DT David Onyemata is more likely to be a salary cap casualty this offseason than DT Grady Jarrett, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic.
Link to storyDavid Onyemata player page
Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. said he has 'started something special' with WR Drake London, and Penix believes their connection is 'only going to get better' next season.
Link to storyNew York Jets impending free-agent LB Jamien Sherwood could receive interest from the Atlanta Falcons if he hits the free-agent market, in the opinion of ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler.
Link to storyJamien Sherwood player page
Free-agent OL Kilian Zierer (Falcons) was signed to a Reserve/Future contract by the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, Feb. 14.
Link to storyAtlanta Falcons quarterbacks coach T.J. Yates was promoted to passing game coordinator Thursday, Feb. 13.
Link to storyT.J. Yates player page
Free-agent OT Kilian Zierer signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Atlanta Falcons Wednesday, Feb. 12. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyAtlanta Falcons WR Ray-Ray McCloud had a career-high 62 catches for 686 yards in 2024 after recording 90 catches for 768 yards in his first six seasons combined.
Footballguys view: McCloud is signed through the 2025 season with a $4.1 million cap hit. We'll see if McCloud continues to be used in the same capacity with the Falcons offense this season. Michael Penix should look to McCloud as a reliable target who can make big plays. |
Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins (shoulder) recently told Good Morning Football: Overtime that he 'got hit pretty good' in his right shoulder and elbow in Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints and 'never could get it really to where I wanted it.'
Footballguys view: After his late-season benching in Atlanta, Cousins' future with the Falcons is uncertain. First-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. usurped the veteran quarterback in Week 16 of the 2024 season, and the first-year man proved he is Atlanta's QB of the immediate future. Where does that leave the 36-year-old Cousins? The first order of business is getting healthy. Cousins, who believes the lingering effects from the 2023 injury and additional knocks in '24 contributed to his subpar performance, said, "If we can do that, [I] feel like I got a new life ahead of me in pro football." Does that new life include serving as Penix's backup? Or can Cousins find a starting job elsewhere in the coming weeks? Money is a factor. Cousins still has three years remaining on his massive deal with Atlanta and carries a cap number of $40 million in '25. While that complicates matters, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported in December that Cousins' release is the most likely outcome. |
Kirk Cousins player page
Atlanta Falcons impending free-agent LB Matt Judon is a player the Falcons may consider re-signing this offseason depending on the price, in the opinion of ESPN.com's Marc Raimondi.
Link to storyMatthew Judon player page
Los Angeles Chargers impending free-agent LB Khalil Mack is expected to receive interest from the Atlanta Falcons if he hits the free-agent market, according to ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler.
Link to storyKhalil Mack player page
Free-agent TE Nikola Kalinic (Rams) signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Link to storyFormer New York Jets linebackers coach Mike Rutenberg was hired as the new defensive pass game coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons on Friday, Jan. 24. The Falcons also named former Houston Texans assistant defensive line coach Nate Ollie as the team's new defensive line coach.
Footballguys view: Rutenberg was with new Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich for four years with the Jets. He'll fill a position that was vacant for the Falcons last season and help Ulbrich with pass defense game plans. Ollie has overseen some very disruptive defensive line groups and should help get the most out of a group that was a big disappointment for most the season in 2024. |
Free-agent DT Junior Aho, OL Matthew Cindric, WR Phillip Dorsett, RB Elijah Dotson, WR Dylan Drummond, OG Joey Fisher, OG Jovaughn Gwyn, DB Lamar X. Jackson, QB Emory Jones, DE Khalid Kareem, DT LaCale London, WR Jesse Matthews, WR Makai Polk, DB Benny Sapp III, WR David Sills and OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr. were signed to Reserve/Future contracts by the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Link to storyPhillip Dorsett player page
David Sills player page
Khalid Kareem player page
New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich agreed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons Saturday, Jan. 18, to become their new defensive coordinator, according to sources.
Footballguys view: Ulbrich has previous working experience with Falcons HC Raheem Morris, and he'll get a chance to improve the Falcons defense. Morris and Ulbrich worked together for five seasons in Atlanta under Dan Quinn. Ulbrich's defense with the Jets was not great, but he should be able to get things on track now that he's back in Atlanta. |
Jeff Ulbrich player page
Free-agent DT LaCale London signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Atlanta Falcons Friday, Jan. 17. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyAtlanta Falcons WR Drake London was targeted 39 times and logged 22 receptions for 352 yards in the three games started by QB Michael Penix Jr.
Footballguys view: It's not difficult to see at first glance that London's pace with Penix would put him well over 100 catches and 1500 yards over a full season. London was going in the mid second round in 2024 drafts because of the expected boost from Kirk Cousins that never came. He'll go lower than that in 2025 fantasy drafts, but he could easily have first round value if Penix is as good as he looked in limited action. |
Pittsburgh Steelers secondary coach Grady Brown is interviewing with the Atlanta Falcons regarding their defensive coordinator vacancy on Friday, Jan. 17.
Link to storyFree-agent C Matthew Cindric signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Atlanta Falcons Tuesday, Jan. 14. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyFormer San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks is expected to interview with the Atlanta Falcons for their defensive coordinator vacancy next week, according to sources Wednesday, Jan. 14.
Footballguys view: Wilks has plenty of coaching experience for 20 years in the NFL. He was last the defensive coordinator of the 49ers and now might join the Falcons staff. In his one year with the 49ers, his defense ranked no.3 in points allowed and was no.8 in yards allowed. |
Michigan defensive coordinator Don Martindale will interview for the Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator vacancy Tuesday, Jan. 14.
Footballguys view: Martindale took the defensive coordinator job at Michigan after parting ways with the Giants following the 2023 season and his unit put together a pair of impressive performances to end the season. They knocked off Ohio State 13-10 in their final regular season game and then beat Alabama 19-13 in their bowl game. Martindale ran the Giants defense for two seasons after a four-year run as the coordinator for the Ravens. Atlanta, which ranked 10th worst in the NFL in total defense, just fired coordinator Jimmy Lake after missing the playoffs. |
The Atlanta Falcons are expected to interview Lou Anarumo (Bengals) for the vacant defensive coordinator position this week, a source said Monday, Jan. 13.
Footballguys view: Anarumo was dismissed as the Bengals' defensive coordinator immediately following Cincinnati's 2024 season. He spent six years on the job, overseeing mixed results as part of head coach Zac Taylor's original staff. Anarumo's last two seasons were particularly troubling, as the Bengals finished 31st and 25th in total defense, respectively, surrendering close to 350 yards per game during this season's 9-8 finish. Still, as CBSSports.com pointed out, Anarumo oversaw several key defenders' development during his time with the Bengals, which peaked in 2022 as Cincy logged the No. 6-ranked scoring defense. |
Atlanta Falcons impending free-agent S Justin Simmons and S Richie Grant are open to re-signing with the Falcons this offseason.
Link to storyJustin Simmons player page
Richie Grant player page
Atlanta Falcons WR Drake London was fined $11,255 by the National Football League for committing an act of taunting following his touchdown catch near the end of the first half in Week 18's game versus the Carolina Panthers.
Link to storyAtlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson was fined $22,511 by the National Football League for committing an act of unnecessary roughness during the fourth quarter of Week 18's game versus the Carolina Panthers, when he led with his helmet on a rushing play.
Link to storyBijan Robinson player page
Atlanta Falcons defensive line coach Jay Rodgers was fired on Saturday, Jan. 11.
Footballguys view: Rodgers came to the Falcons from the Chargers coaching staff, where he was the defensive line coach and run game coordinator for a defense that wasn't that great at stopping the run. The defensive line greatly underperformed for the Falcons and the young players didn't improve, so this was a change most saw coming. |
Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake was fired on Saturday, Jan. 11, per sources.
Footballguys view: The Falcons defense got worse this year despite significant investments. They went down in sacks, third down stops and points allowed. The defense was plagued by missed tackles and miscommunication, and only improved after the bye when head coach Raheem Morris got more involved. Lake was the assistant head coach with the Rams and head coach at the University of Washington in his two previous stops. There are a lot free agent coaches that Morris is familiar with that have a lot more experience than Lake to consider to fill his spot. |
Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said he would be 'very confident' in retaining QB Kirk Cousins to be the team's backup for the 2025 season. Fontenot also indicated that reports saying Cousins would be released before a $10 million roster bonus was due on March 17 were unfounded.
Footballguys view: Cousins has a $40 million cap hit in 2025. He will be the backup to Michael Penix who will be on the second year of his rookie contract (which includes a fifth-year option for the 2024 first rounder). The Falcons may be posturing here as they look for some team that would trade for the veteran quarterback (and his monster contract). |
Kirk Cousins player page
Free-agent WR Makai Polk signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Atlanta Falcons Tuesday, Jan. 7. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyFree-agent DT Junior Aho, WR Phillip Dorsett, RB Elijah Dotson, WR Dylan Drummond, OG Joey Fisher, OG Jovaughn Gwyn, CB Lamar X. Jackson, QB Emory Jones, DE Khalid Kareem, WR Jesse Matthews, CB Benny Sapp III and OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr. signed Reserve/Future contracts with the Atlanta Falcons Monday, Jan. 6. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Link to storyPhillip Dorsett player page
Khalid Kareem player page
Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts ended up with two receptions for 15 yards in Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers.
Link to storyKyle Pitts player page
Atlanta Falcons WR KhaDarel Hodge ended up with a 24-yard reception on his only touch on two targets in Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers.
Link to storyKhaDarel Hodge player page
Atlanta Falcons WR Ray-Ray McCloud finished with four receptions for 66 yards on seven targets in Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers.
Link to storyAtlanta Falcons WR Drake London ended up with 10 receptions for 187 yards and two touchdowns on 18 targets in Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers.
Footballguys view: This has to excite anyone holding London in a dynasty league. The chemistry with Michael Penix was on display in the shootout, although his target load was fattened by Darnell Mooney's absence. London was an early second round pick in 2024 drafts. He won't cost that much in 2025 drafts, but maybe he should after this season finale performance. |
Atlanta Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier ran nine times for 52 yards in Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers, while adding two receptions for 17 yards on two targets.
Link to storyAtlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson ran 28 times for 170 yards and two touchdowns in Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers, while adding two receptions for three yards on five targets.
Footballguys view: We won't fault anyone for taking Robinson #1 overall in 2025 fantasy drafts. We probably haven't seen his best football as Kirk Cousins physical limitations held the offense back at times this season. |
Bijan Robinson player page
Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. completed 21-of-38 passes for 312 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers, and he ran once for a 5-yard touchdown.
Footballguys view: Penix didn't get the Falcons into the playoffs, but he performed better than expected and certainly well enough to acquit the Falcons for using the #8 overall pick on him. Kirk Cousins will almost certainly be released in the offseason and get to pick his spot a la Russell Wilson with Atlanta footing the bill for his $27.5 million salary. |
Atlanta Falcons LB Kaden Elliss registered 10 total stops with three solo tackles in Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers.
Link to storyKaden Elliss player page
Atlanta Falcons CB Mike Hughes (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury during the Week 18 game and is considered questionable to return.
Link to storyMike Hughes player page
Updating a previous report, Atlanta Falcons CB Mike Hughes (head) has been cleared to return to the Week 18 game after being checked for a possible concussion.
Link to storyMike Hughes player page
Atlanta Falcons CB Mike Hughes (head) left the Week 18 game early and is being evaluated for a concussion. He is considered questionable to return.
Link to storyMike Hughes player page
Atlanta Falcons WR Darnell Mooney (shoulder) is not active for Week 18's game versus the Carolina Panthers.
Link to storyDarnell Mooney player page
Atlanta Falcons WR Darnell Mooney (shoulder), who is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, is facing an uphill battle to play against the Carolina Panthers in Week 18, according to sources.
Link to storyDarnell Mooney player page
Atlanta Falcons CB Lamar X. Jackson was elevated from the practice squad for Week 18 on Saturday, Jan. 4.
Link to storyAtlanta Falcons WR Drake London (knee) was upgraded to a full practice on Friday, Jan. 3, and no longer appears on the injury report for Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers.
Link to storyAtlanta Falcons WR Darnell Mooney (shoulder) did not practice on Friday, Jan. 3, and is listed as questionable for Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers.
Link to storyDarnell Mooney player page
Atlanta Falcons WR Darnell Mooney (shoulder) and DT Brandon Dorlus (abdomen) did not practice on Friday, Jan. 3, and is listed as questionable for Week 18 against the Carolina Panthers. LB JD Bertrand (eye) remained limited in practice on Friday and is also listed as questionable. DL David Onyemata (shoulder, rest), CB Kevin King (concussion, personal) and DL Grady Jarrett (rest) did not practice on Friday but no longer appear on the injury report. OT Jake Matthews (rest), OT Kaleb McGary (rest) and TE Charlie Woerner (rest) were limited in practice on Friday but are expected to play. LB Lorenzo Carter (oblique), CB Dee Alford (groin), OL Matthew Bergeron (hand), WR Drake London (knee), WR KhaDarel Hodge (ribs), LB Nathan Landman (shoulder), TE Ross Dwelley (ankle) and DL Zach Harrison (Achilles) practiced in full on Friday and have also been removed from the injury report.
Link to storyGrady Jarrett player page
David Onyemata player page
Kevin King player page
Lorenzo Carter player page
Ross Dwelley player page
KhaDarel Hodge player page
Charlie Woerner player page
Darnell Mooney player page
Zach Harrison player page
Atlanta Falcons WR Darnell Mooney (shoulder) was limited during practice Thursday, Jan. 2.
Link to storyDarnell Mooney player page
Atlanta Falcons WR Drake London (knee) was limited during practice Thursday, Jan. 2.
Link to storyAtlanta Falcons LB Lorenzo Carter (oblique), CB Dee Alford (groin), LB JD Bertrand (eye), OL Matthew Bergeron (hand), DL David Onyemata (shoulder), CB Kevin King (concussion), WR Drake London (knee), WR Darnell Mooney (shoulder), WR KhaDarel Hodge (ribs), LB Nathan Landman (shoulder), TE Ross Dwelley (ankle) and DL Zach Harrison (Achilles) were limited in practice on Thursday, Jan. 2.
Link to storyDavid Onyemata player page
Kevin King player page
Lorenzo Carter player page
Ross Dwelley player page
KhaDarel Hodge player page
Darnell Mooney player page
Zach Harrison player page