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The Atlanta Falcons have now handed out two major contract extensions this off-season. The first went to wide receiver Drake London a few weeks ago, including $100 million guaranteed and making him the third-highest paid receiver in the NFL.
Last night, the second big deal went to sixth-year tight end Kyle Pitts. ESPN has reported that the new contract for Pitts is for three years and $54 million with $36 million of it fully guaranteed. The move secures one of Atlanta's rising Young stars for the long run and also saves them a little over $11 million in cap room for the 2026 season.
Who's next in line for a contract extension after Pitts? Let's take a look at four candidates.
The best player whose contract will run out at the end of the 2026 campaign is veteran safety Jessie Bates, who remains one of the league's most underrated defensive backs. The 2023 Pro Bowler is now 29 years old but still performing at a high level. A new contract for Bates rewards one of the team's top performers and would save the Falcons $10,176,000 in cap room this year, according to Over the Cap.
The next-best defender playing out the final year of his current contract is off-ball linebacker Divine Deablo, who's in line for a much larger role this year as he takes the green dot from former Falcon Kaden Elliss. Last March Deablo signed a two-year, $14 million total deal, but he's already outplayed it with a magnificent 2025 season that largely flew under the radar. Re-signing Deablo gives the Falcons a key centerpiece to build around defensively. Atlanta would save just north of $3.55 million in cap space with an extension.
The Falcons have a strong offensive line, where continuity is key. That should make extending left guard Matthew Bergeron a priority. Bergeron is only 26 years old and is on the last year of his rookie deal. He's coming off a strong 2025 season, having earned a 65.7 grade in pass blocking and a 71.3 in run blocking from PFF. His overall grade (70.8) ranked 22nd out of 81 guards. A new deal for Bergeron keeps Atlanta's interior familiar and would save them a little over $2.22 million in cap room.
We've saved the best for last. Star running back Bijan Robinson had his fifth-year option picked up, so the Falcons don't need to rush this extension. However, the longer they wait the more expensive paying No. 7 is going to get. That's why it's good news that contract talks are ongoing according to ESPN and may end soon. Robinson is expected to become the highest-paid running back in the NFL, with an annual salary higher than Saquon Barkley's $20.6 million average. Extending Robinson now would save the Falcons just over $2 million this year and $8.1 million next year.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Bijan Robinson headlines list of Falcons candidates for next extension
Continue reading...
Last night, the second big deal went to sixth-year tight end Kyle Pitts. ESPN has reported that the new contract for Pitts is for three years and $54 million with $36 million of it fully guaranteed. The move secures one of Atlanta's rising Young stars for the long run and also saves them a little over $11 million in cap room for the 2026 season.
Who's next in line for a contract extension after Pitts? Let's take a look at four candidates.
S Jessie Bates III
The best player whose contract will run out at the end of the 2026 campaign is veteran safety Jessie Bates, who remains one of the league's most underrated defensive backs. The 2023 Pro Bowler is now 29 years old but still performing at a high level. A new contract for Bates rewards one of the team's top performers and would save the Falcons $10,176,000 in cap room this year, according to Over the Cap.
LB Divine Deablo
The next-best defender playing out the final year of his current contract is off-ball linebacker Divine Deablo, who's in line for a much larger role this year as he takes the green dot from former Falcon Kaden Elliss. Last March Deablo signed a two-year, $14 million total deal, but he's already outplayed it with a magnificent 2025 season that largely flew under the radar. Re-signing Deablo gives the Falcons a key centerpiece to build around defensively. Atlanta would save just north of $3.55 million in cap space with an extension.
LG Matthew Bergeron
The Falcons have a strong offensive line, where continuity is key. That should make extending left guard Matthew Bergeron a priority. Bergeron is only 26 years old and is on the last year of his rookie deal. He's coming off a strong 2025 season, having earned a 65.7 grade in pass blocking and a 71.3 in run blocking from PFF. His overall grade (70.8) ranked 22nd out of 81 guards. A new deal for Bergeron keeps Atlanta's interior familiar and would save them a little over $2.22 million in cap room.
RB Bijan Robinson
We've saved the best for last. Star running back Bijan Robinson had his fifth-year option picked up, so the Falcons don't need to rush this extension. However, the longer they wait the more expensive paying No. 7 is going to get. That's why it's good news that contract talks are ongoing according to ESPN and may end soon. Robinson is expected to become the highest-paid running back in the NFL, with an annual salary higher than Saquon Barkley's $20.6 million average. Extending Robinson now would save the Falcons just over $2 million this year and $8.1 million next year.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Bijan Robinson headlines list of Falcons candidates for next extension
Continue reading...
