Signs are pointing to the Falcons losing Drew Dalman in free agency. ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler reported that the club is prepared to lose the center this offseason.
“The Falcons are prepared to lose center Drew Dalman in free agency,” Graziano wrote. “They’d like to have him back but are concerned he can get more money elsewhere.”
The 2021 fourth-round pick has quietly become one of the league’s best centers, especially in the run game. But more importantly, he’s hitting free agency at the right time. Dalman is easily the best free agent center, and he’ll be compensated very handsomely, with some even predicting he’ll reset the center market.
Gregg Rosenthal on the NFL Daily podcast reported that talk around the league is that Dalman will garner a contract that pays him $20 million a year, continuing by saying he doesn’t think the Falcons will be able to retain him.
“Talking to people around the league, he is going to get like a starting offensive lineman type of ‘What? Who got $20 million a year?’ But Drew Dalman will be that guy. He is absolutely getting that. I don’t think the Falcons are going to be able to afford to keep him,” Rosenthal said.
Dalman did miss eight games this past season, and in his place, Ryan Neuzil performed admirably, which seems to be where the Falcons will turn if/when Dalman signs elsewhere.
“They feel good, though, about tendering restricted free agent center Ryan Neuzil and making him the Dalman replacement, which he was during the 2024 season when Dalman missed time due to injury,” wrote Graziano.
While Neuzil is also a free agent, he’s a restricted free agent, so it’s much easier for the Falcons to retain him. It also doesn’t hurt that he will demand a fraction of the salary that Dalman is sure to garner in this offseason.
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Photographer: David John Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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