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Few around the NFL have fallen in love with the Atlanta Falcons' offseason moves thus far, but general manager Ian Cunningham knows his job is to play chess not checkers. The team's latest moves to extend tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London will help this franchise in both the short and long term.
The Falcons freed up nearly $20 million in cap space by retaining these two offensive playmakers. However, Cunningham would be wise to use some of that money to extend other key players, including Bijan Robinson and Matthew Bergeron.
In today's Falcons Wire Recap, Atlanta's offensive line receives some love, Bleacher Report calls out A.J. Terrell's recent ESPN snub, we look at updated salary cap numbers and one concerning stat for Tua Tagovailoa.
ESPN's recent poll of NFL personnel did not include A.J. Terrell among the top 10 cornerbacks in the league, however, Terrell was included in the honorable mentions section. Bleacher Report took exception with a few of the players left off of ESPN's poll, highlighting Terrell among biggest snubs.
"There's some fantastic cornerback talent in the honorable mention section," wrote B/R's Paul Kasabian. "Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. has been one of the better players at his position since arriving in the league in 2020. The knock on him here appeared to be a lack of interceptions (six over his six years)."
The Falcons offensive line actually received some love this week around the NFL. According to an analysis by Warren Sharp, Atlanta's offensive line is the 10th best in the NFL this year.
"The unit finished 14th in pass block win rate in 2025," wrote Sharp. "They added former Chief Jawaan Taylor in free agency to play right tackle following Kaleb McGary’s retirement. The Falcons’ line was very healthy last year, with four starters playing over 1,000 snaps at their respective positions."
Tua Tagovailoa's issues over the last few seasons have been difficult to pin down, but this nugget from Pro Football Focus suggests he's been one of the NFL's worst starters over the last two years going by their grades.
Here's an updated list of the Falcons' 10 highest salary cap hits on offense in 2026. As you'll notice below (*), Pitts now sits just outside of the top 10.
Falcons guards Chris Lindstrom and Matthew Bergeron were praised as one of the NFL's top interior offensive line duos by SI's Matt Verderame.
"As for Bergeron, he’s settled in nicely through three years, starting all but two games of his career," wrote Verderame. The Syracuse product also had top-30 PFF grades last year overall and for run blocking, showing the versatility of a player entering the final season of his rookie contract."
Falcons fans on social media were encouraged by a new clip of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. slinging the ball around (see below). Penix is clearly continuing to make progress, and he hopes to be ready for the start of training camp in a few weeks.
Where does Atlanta's supporting cast on offense rank among the 32 NFL teams? Maybe not as high as you'd expect. According to Jared Dubin at CBS Sports, the Falcons' offensive infrastructure is the 12th-best in the league going into the 2026 season.
"The Falcons' elite running back grade for the Bijan and Brian Robinson pairing making up for a disadvantage in the pass catcher department, where the Falcons are much thinner than are the Vikings," wrote Dubin.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons Recap: Offensive line receives love, A.J. Terrell snubbed
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The Falcons freed up nearly $20 million in cap space by retaining these two offensive playmakers. However, Cunningham would be wise to use some of that money to extend other key players, including Bijan Robinson and Matthew Bergeron.
In today's Falcons Wire Recap, Atlanta's offensive line receives some love, Bleacher Report calls out A.J. Terrell's recent ESPN snub, we look at updated salary cap numbers and one concerning stat for Tua Tagovailoa.
B/R calls out A.J. Terrell's ESPN poll snub
ESPN's recent poll of NFL personnel did not include A.J. Terrell among the top 10 cornerbacks in the league, however, Terrell was included in the honorable mentions section. Bleacher Report took exception with a few of the players left off of ESPN's poll, highlighting Terrell among biggest snubs.
"There's some fantastic cornerback talent in the honorable mention section," wrote B/R's Paul Kasabian. "Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. has been one of the better players at his position since arriving in the league in 2020. The knock on him here appeared to be a lack of interceptions (six over his six years)."
Falcons offensive line ranked top 10
The Falcons offensive line actually received some love this week around the NFL. According to an analysis by Warren Sharp, Atlanta's offensive line is the 10th best in the NFL this year.
"The unit finished 14th in pass block win rate in 2025," wrote Sharp. "They added former Chief Jawaan Taylor in free agency to play right tackle following Kaleb McGary’s retirement. The Falcons’ line was very healthy last year, with four starters playing over 1,000 snaps at their respective positions."
PFF shares concerning Tua stat
Tua Tagovailoa's issues over the last few seasons have been difficult to pin down, but this nugget from Pro Football Focus suggests he's been one of the NFL's worst starters over the last two years going by their grades.
Falcons 10 highest salary cap hits on offense
Here's an updated list of the Falcons' 10 highest salary cap hits on offense in 2026. As you'll notice below (*), Pitts now sits just outside of the top 10.
- Chris Lindstrom: $26,250,000
- Jake Matthews: $16,773,714
- Drake London: $7,996,200
- Bijan Robinson: $6,986,810
- Michael Penix: $6,240,719
- Ryan Neuzil: $6,225,000
- Charlie Woerner: $5,750,000
- Jahan Dotson: $5,000,000
- Matthew Bergeron: $4,806,451
- Jawaan Taylor: $4,625,000
- Kyle Pitts: $4,622,000*
SI praises Falcons OGs Bergeron and Lindstrom
Falcons guards Chris Lindstrom and Matthew Bergeron were praised as one of the NFL's top interior offensive line duos by SI's Matt Verderame.
"As for Bergeron, he’s settled in nicely through three years, starting all but two games of his career," wrote Verderame. The Syracuse product also had top-30 PFF grades last year overall and for run blocking, showing the versatility of a player entering the final season of his rookie contract."
NFL world reacts to new Penix workout video
Falcons fans on social media were encouraged by a new clip of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. slinging the ball around (see below). Penix is clearly continuing to make progress, and he hopes to be ready for the start of training camp in a few weeks.
Falcons offensive infrastructure ranked 12th in NFL
Where does Atlanta's supporting cast on offense rank among the 32 NFL teams? Maybe not as high as you'd expect. According to Jared Dubin at CBS Sports, the Falcons' offensive infrastructure is the 12th-best in the league going into the 2026 season.
"The Falcons' elite running back grade for the Bijan and Brian Robinson pairing making up for a disadvantage in the pass catcher department, where the Falcons are much thinner than are the Vikings," wrote Dubin.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons Recap: Offensive line receives love, A.J. Terrell snubbed
Continue reading...
