Atlanta Falcons Rumors & News - Pro Football Rumors

The Falcons and Lions discussed a Devonta Freeman trade, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Lions inquired on the running back, and the two sides spoke at length, but the Falcons ultimately decided against parting with him.

A former fourth-round pick, Freeman became the Falcons’ starter in his second season and made back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2015 and 2016. Then, in 2017, the Falcons signed him to a five-year, $41.25MM extension.

Freeman lost the bulk of 2018 due to injury and he hasn’t looked like his old self thus far in 2019. In eight games, Freeman has averaged just 3.4 yards per carry. Through the air, he’s got 35 catches for 272 yards and three scores.

Then again, the entire Falcons offense seems to be sagging. The Lions are among the many Freeman believers out there, but, ultimately, they could not come to terms on a would-be blockbuster.

The Falcons are still optimistic about Freeman, but they’re also realistic about the financial constraints. The 27-year-old’s signing bonuses are on the books through 2021 and that’s a serious barrier to moving on from him.

Falcons Cut Matt Bryant, Sign Younghoe Koo

October 29th, 2019 at 11:51am CST by Andrew Ortenberg

Matt Bryant‘s second stint as the Falcons’ kicker is over. The Falcons have released the longtime veteran, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Atlanta worked out kickers Younghoe Koo and Elliott Fry yesterday, foreshadowing this move. Shortly after we heard Bryant was getting released, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweeted that the team is indeed signing Koo. Bryant spent ten years as the Falcons’ kicker from 2009-18, then was cut after last season. He spent all summer as a free agent, then was re-signed right before the start of the season when Giorgio Tavecchio and Blair Walsh struggled during the preseason.

Bryant is 44 and has been one of the league’s most recognizable kickers for the better part of two decades. After originally spending some time in the AFL and NFL Europe in the early 2000’s, he was finally able to latch on with the Giants. Bryant has already missed five field goals and an extra point this season, and this is likely the end of the road for him. In Atlanta’s Week 6 loss to the Cardinals, he missed a crucial extra point late in the game as the Falcons ended up losing by a single point.

Koo started the 2017 season off as the Chargers’ kicker, but was quickly released after missing a few clutch kicks. He has bounced around soon, including a stint in the AAF, and was on the Patriots’ practice squad earlier this season. Koo, the South Korean native who played his college ball at Georgia Southern, is definitely talented and a worthwhile flyer for a rebuilding Falcons team.

Matt Ryan To Return After Bye

October 28th, 2019 at 9:04pm CST by Ben Levine

It doesn’t sound like Matt Ryan will be out for long. Falcons coach Dan Quinn said the veteran quarterback will start when the team returns from a bye in Week 10 (via Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com). The coach also said Ryan would likely play this weekend if the team had a game.

With the Falcons sitting at 1-7, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Falcons were a bit cautious with Ryan. On the flip side, the organization gave the quarterback more than $100MM in guaranteed money last year, and the veteran has still been plenty productive this season.

[SOURCE LINK]

NFL Workout Updates: 10/28/19

October 28th, 2019 at 7:59pm CST by Ben Levine

Here are today’s workout updates:

Atlanta Falcons

K Elliott Fry, K Younghoe Koo

Chicago Bears

DE Alex Barrett, DE Quinton Bell, OT Dino Boyd, DE Eli Harold

Houston Texans

DB Anthony Chesley, DT Eddie Vanderdoes

Jacksonville Jaguars

DL Willie Henry, DT Stacy McGee, DT Jamie Meder, DT Adolphus Washington

New York Giants

WR Alex Bachman

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/28/19

October 28th, 2019 at 5:34pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Waived: QB Danny Etling, CB D.J. White

Jacksonville Jaguars

Released from IR via injury settlement: RB Alfred Blue

Miami Dolphins

Claimed: CB Xavier Crawford (from Texans)

New England Patriots

Re-signed: QB Cody Kessler

Philadelphia Eagles

Waived: DT Bruce Hector

Matt Ryan To Miss Falcons’ Week 8 Game

October 26th, 2019 at 3:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

The ankle injury Matt Ryan suffered last week will keep him out against the Seahawks, the Falcons announced. Veteran Matt Schaub will start in Ryan’s place, with the recently promoted Danny Etling working as the Falcons’ No. 2 quarterback.

This will mark Ryan’s first absence in 10 years. The Falcons quarterback worked through a limited practice Friday, but the 1-6 team will keep him out of its Week 8 matchup. Schaub has not started a game since the 2015 season, when he saw action as a Raven following Joe Flacco‘s season-ending injury.

Ryan’s injury is the latest chapter in a nightmare Falcons season. Despite the team possessing a veteran-laden roster and moving to reach top-market extensions with Julio Jones, Deion Jones and Grady Jarrett, the Falcons are off to their worst start in 12 years. Atlanta dealt one of Ryan’s wideouts, Mohamed Sanu, this week. Another loss could prompt more deals for the struggling team in advance of Tuesday’s deadline.

Ryan’s 15 touchdown passes are tied for the league lead. He’s added 2,170 passing yards — 7.6 per attempt. Schaub, the longtime Texans starter, has served as Ryan’s backup since 2016. The 38-year-old passer has attempted just 16 passes as a Falcon, with Ryan being one of the league’s most reliable starters. Schaub has two Pro Bowls to his credit, but the most recent honor came in 2012.

Falcons To Promote Danny Etling

October 26th, 2019 at 11:42am CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons will promote practice squad quarterback Danny Etling, according to Adam Caplan of SiriusXM (on Twitter). The move is significant, because it may be an indicator that Matt Ryan won’t play on Sunday vs. the Seahawks.

Ryan suffered an ankle injury against the Rams on Sunday and is presently listed as questionable. The Falcons haven’t said much about his status, but the promotion of Etling says a lot.

If Ryan is out, Matt Schaub will start in his stead. Meanwhile, Etling will serve as his top clipboard holder. Etling, a 2018 seventh-round pick by the Patriots, appears to be back at the QB position. Earlier this year, the Pats were experimenting with him as a wide receiver/QB hybrid.

This has been a trying year for Ryan and the Falcons. Through seven games, they’re 1-6, and appear to be in selling mode as the trade deadline approaches. Mohamed Sanu has already been jettisoned to Etling’s former club and edge rusher Vic Beasley could be the next notable to go. Teams are also interested in tight end Austin Hooper, but the Falcons seem set on keeping him for the long haul.

Matt Ryan Deemed Game-Time Decision For Sunday

October 25th, 2019 at 12:17pm CST by cwcrouse

Matt Ryan left last week’s game against the Rams with a right ankle injury and his status for this week’s matchup is far from certain. However, the good news for Atlanta is that Ryan is practicing today after missing the last two days, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the ACJ relays.

Per Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (Twitter link), Ryan will be a game-time decision this week. If Ryan can’t go on Sunday vs. the Seahawks, Matt Schaub is in line to make the start for the Falcons.

Ryan will only be active is he is starting, meaning that Atlanta won’t have him on as an emergency QB. The club will also be without G James Carpenter and RB Ito Smith on offense.

Trade Notes: Falcons, Bengals, Browns, Broncos, Jets, Redskins, Giants, Eagles, Bills, Packers

October 24th, 2019 at 4:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Teams continue to ask about Austin Hooper, whose 526 receiving yards sit 11th in the NFL entering Week 8. However, the Falcons have spurned suitors who’ve called about the emerging tight end, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. Hooper is in a contract year, but the Falcons believe they have a chance to re-sign him. The Falcons, though, are the team doing the contacting regarding Vic Beasley. Atlanta is shopping its former All-Pro defensive end, who is playing out a $12.8MM fifth-year option. Pass rushers are obviously valuable, but with Beasley’s play having fallen off since that 2016 breakthrough, the return might not be what the Falcons seek.

Here is the latest from the trade market:

The Redskins continue to respond with hard nos when asked about Trent Williams, but Breer adds Josh Norman‘s name has been floated around. With Norman having not lived up to the $15MM-AAV contract he signed in 2016, it would be hard to imagine the Redskins getting much value for the eighth-year cornerback.
A cornerback performing better continues to look likelier to stay put. Chris Harris does not expect to be traded, and Troy Renck of Denver7 notes the Broncos are not as motivated to deal their four-time Pro Bowler as they were to ship out Emmanuel Sanders. A second-round pick would likely be necessary here, per Breer. Considering the Broncos’ issues finding corners as of late, dealing Harris would create a massive offseason need in Denver.
The Bengals are 0-7, and A.J. Green continues to come up in trade rumors. But the old-school organization isn’t budging. Mike Brown has not signed off on a firesale, Breer adds, instead preferring to provide first-year HC Zac Taylor with a foundation. That project is not going well so far, with the veteran-laden team performing poorly. Cincinnati’s potential trade chips also include franchise sack leaders Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap. Neither appears to be a departure candidate. Tyler Eifert is a name Breer mentions could be dealt, but the tight end obviously has a significant injury history that would limit a return.
As for the expensive New York corners, Janoris Jenkins has generated more interest than Trumaine Johnson. The Giants have shopped Jenkins around some, per Breer, while Ralph Vacchiano of SNY notes it would require “a miracle” for a team to take Johnson’s salary off the Jets‘ payroll. Jenkins is signed through 2020, with $5.37MM remaining in 2019 salary.
In addition to the Saints exploring receiver additions, the Bills, Eagles and Packers are as well, Breer notes. This could heat up the Robby Anderson market, but Breer adds Browns wideout Rashard Higgins has been discussed in advance of Tuesday’s deadline. The backup is in a contract year. However, Higgins has battled knee issues and has only played in one 2019 game.
With Mark Andrews having outproduced Hayden Hurst, the Ravens have received calls on their 2018 top pick. As of now, however, Hurst is not believed to be available, per Breer.

Atlanta Falcons News & Rumors