While Falcons fans look forward to 2025 as the Michael Penix Jr. era begins in Atlanta, there’s a lot that will happen in the eight months between now and the start of next season.
The biggest decision will surround Kirk Cousins. He’s under contract with a base salary of $27.5 million and has a no-trade clause. The Falcons could cut him and eat a ton of dead money, or they could dig in and force him to either be the highest-paid backup in the league or waive his no-trade clause.
The draft will present an opportunity to improve the defense, as will free agency, which will feature several current Falcons. Justin Simmons and Matthew Judon headline Atlanta’s defensive free agents, while Drew Dalman headlines the other side of the ball.
I imagine Terry Fontenot, if he keeps his job, will try to bring back Dalman, a member of his original Falcons draft class. Several other members of that 2021 rookie class are set to hit free agency as well, and at least one of them wants to re-sign. According to Josh Kendall, Richie Grant said he would “love” to return to Atlanta ahead of his free agency.
Grant was a second-round pick in Fontenot’s first draft class back in 2021. He followed Kyle Pitts and preceded Jalen Mayfield in a pitiful stretch for any general manager. The UCF product began his career on the bench but was eventually thrust into a starting role, only to be benched by a rookie seventh-round pick in DeMarrco Hellams down the stretch in 2023.
The Falcons will be in the market for a safety, and I find it hard to believe Grant is among the candidates to fill the void. Could he possibly return as a depth/special teams piece? Sure, but nothing more.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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