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Falcons Reduce Roster To 53

August 27th, 2024 at 4:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here are the Falcons’ Tuesday moves which brought the team’s roster to 53 ahead of the cutdown deadline:

Released:

Waived:

Placed on IR (designated for return):

Taylor Heinicke was widely believed to be on the trade block, and it would have come as little surprise if the veteran passer had been released. Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins in free agency and drafted Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall in April. Those two are set to handle starting and backup duties in 2024 (and beyond, if things go according to plan), which suggested Heinicke was expendable. Instead, he will prepare for a second season with the Falcons.

King’s efforts to return to regular NFL action included a contract with the Falcons in March. The former Packers corner sat out the 2022 season while rehabbing multiple injuries. Last year, an Achilles tear forced him to miss another campaign. He was unable to carve out a roster spot in Atlanta, but as a vested veteran he will immediately hit free agency without needing to pass through waivers.

A number of recent draftees are included in the list of players being waived. As a former UDFA, Blair does not meet that criteria but his inclusion is a surprise. The 26-year-old was a standout in the preseason, and ESPN’s Marc Raimondi notes Atlanta is interested is retaining him via the practice squad. The same will no doubt be true of Logue, a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft.

Teams are allowed to designate two players to return from IR without naming them to the 53-man roster. A number of teams have taken advantage of that new rule today, and in Atlanta’s case it means Hellams will not occupy a spot for the time being. The earliest he can be activated is Week 5.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/25/24

August 25th, 2024 at 9:04pm CST by Adam La Rose

With roster cutdowns beginning around the league, Sunday saw a number of moves take place:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Buffalo’s decision to cut Jones marks a blow to his efforts in finding a roster spot on a new team. Considering the latest report on his status, however, it does not come as a surprise. The Bills dealt with a number of injuries at the linebacker spot last season and Matt Milano will miss extended time in 2024 due to a biceps tear. In spite of that, the team will look elsewhere for depth options unless Jones is retained via the practice squad later this week.

Falcons’ Mike Hughes Lands Starting CB Spot

August 25th, 2024 at 4:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

A.J. Terrell is in place as the Falcons’ top corner for 2024 and beyond, but the question of who would line up as the team’s other perimeter corner was an unanswered question until the close of the preseason. Head coach Raheem Morris confirmed Mike Hughes will open the campaign handling first-team duties.

The veteran is set to take part in his second Falcons season, and he made 15 appearances last year. That included four starts and an uptick in playing time later in the campaign as Jeff Okudah saw his usage decline. Okudah is no longer in the fold, and Hughes spent the offseason competing for the CB2 spot with Clark Phillips III.

“That’s probably a Mike Hughes question, because I can only answer for what I’ve seen and what he’s done since I’ve been here,” Morris said when speaking about Hughes’ struggles in landing a permanent home in the NFL (via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution). “I know as a former first-rounder that’s been in a lot of places that had a lot of high hopes for and love for throughout the draft process, and then getting a chance to come here and work with him.

“So, I can’t tell you what’s held him back, but I can tell you what he’s doing now – showing up in ball productivity, being around the ball and being in the right position… He’s done a nice job of doing a lot of things here.”

Hughes, 27, spent his first three seasons with the Vikings before being traded to Kansas City. His time with the Chiefs included a healthy campaign but it was not enough to land him an extended stay with the team. After a one-year spell with the Lions, the UCF product inked a $7MM Falcons pact in 2023. Hughes saw less playing time on defense than Phillips last season, but he will get the nod to begin the coming campaign.

Of course, Hughes has experience in the slot, and Morris confirmed he is an option to see extended time on the inside in 2024. That alignment would allow Phillips, a 2023 fourth-rounder, to be used on the perimeter. The presence of Dee Alford should keep Hughes primarily on the outside, though, and his performance this year will inform his value on a new Falcons pact or one sending him to another new team in the spring.

Falcons, CB A.J. Terrell Agree To Extension

August 24th, 2024 at 7:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

AUGUST 24: Terrell will receive $42.34MM guaranteed in full, per Over the Cap. That figure includes a $25MM signing bonus along with his 2024 ($3.44MM) and 2025 ($14MM) salaries. His cap charge for the coming season dropped to $8.34MM as a result of the extension, but that figure will spike to $19MM next year before eventually growing to $24MM in 2028. No void years are present in the deal.

AUGUST 22: Shortly after adding a pair of veterans to their defense, the Falcons are taking care of another piece of financial business on that side of the ball. Atlanta has worked out a big-ticket extension with cornerback A.J. Terrell, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The team has since confirmed the news.

Terrell will collect $81MM on a four-year extension, per Schefter. The pact includes $65.8MM in effective guarantees, making this the largest commitment in terms of locked in compensation given to a corner on a four-year agreement. The 23-year-old is now under contract through 2028.

In terms of annual average value, Terrell has become the fourth player at his position to average $20MM or more per season. His AAV of $20.25MM ranks second in the league, behind only Jaire Alexander‘s Packers deal ($21MM). This Falcons extension is the largest deal given out to a corner in 2024, eclipsing the trio of Tyson Campbell (Jaguars), L’Jarius Sneed (Titans) and Jaylon Johnson (Bears). Each of those four year pacts range between $76MM and $76.5MM in value.

Earlier this summer, it was clear Terrell was firmly on the Falcons’ extension radar. The Clemson alum was set to play on his fifth-year option in 2024, valued at $12.34MM, but a long-term deal would clearly check in at a much higher figure. His most recent comment on the subject of extension talks painted an encouraging picture with respect to a deal being worked out. Now that it has, Terrell enters the season with increased expectations as the team’s clear-cut No. 1 corner.

After serving as a full-time starter during his rookie season, Terrell had his most productive campaign in 2021. That year saw him collect three interceptions, 16 pass deflections and 81 tackles en route to a second-team All-Pro nod. The past two seasons have not been as impactful on the statsheet, but Terrell has remained consistent in terms of completion percentage allowed. While he has allowed 10 touchdowns as the nearest defender since 2022, the Falcons hope the coming campaign will see a step forward taken at all three levels of their defense.

Atlanta traded for edge rusher Matt Judon last week, adding an established sack artist to the team’s front seven. That move – which will not be accompanied by an extension for the pending free agent – was followed up one day later by the signing of safety Justin Simmons. The latter will create a notable backend tandem with Jessie Bates, who had a successful debut Falcons campaign last year. Judon and Simmons have combined for six Pro Bowls, and Terrell will look to join them in that regard while playing out his second contract.

The Falcons’ restructuring of guard Chris Lindstrom‘s contract freed up 2024 cap space in anticipation of the Simmons acquisition as well as today’s Terrell extension. It will be interesting to see how this move affects the team’s cap outlook over the coming years, but for at least the 2024 campaign a number of major investments will be in place on defense. Questions loom over the status of Atlanta’s second starting cornerback position, but the top of the depth chart is locked in for the foreseeable future.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/22/24

August 22nd, 2024 at 6:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

  • Activated from active/PUP list: OL Yosh Nijman
  • Signed: LB Aaron Beasley

Chicago Bears

  • Signed: WR Peter LeBlanc, RB Jacob Saylors
  • Waived/injured: TE Giovanni Ricci

Cleveland Browns

  • Reverted to IR: LB Brandon Bouyer-Randle

Dallas Cowboys

  • Released from IR via injury settlement: DE Shaka Toney

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: DL Keonte Schad

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Reverted to IR: WR Jaaron Hayek

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Signed: TE Isaac Rex
  • Waived: DL Micheal Mason

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

  • Signed: RB Mohamed Ibrahim, OL Chuck Filiaga
  • Reverted to IR: OL Jeremy Flax, S Najee Thompson

New Orleans Saints

  • Reverted to IR: C Sincere Haynesworth

Washington Commanders

Nijman underwent surgery to address a leg injury, and despite Dave Canales indicating the free agency pickup was a ways away from returning, he is back at practice barely a week later. It remains to be seen if Nijman will be able to suit up in Week 1, but he has some time here. The Panthers signed the ex-Packer blocker to be their swing tackle.

Grant will be able to suit up later this season, depending on the terms of the injury settlement. This transaction moves Grant off the Falcons’ roster. The former All-Pro return man has not played since the 2021 season, stacking the odds against him. He is going into what would be an age-32 season.

NFC South Notes: Tepper, Pace, Bucs, Saints

August 21st, 2024 at 5:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

David Tepper‘s Panthers tenure has plunged the team to its lowest point. Carolina is 0-for-6 in playoff berths under the current owner, bottoming out at 2-15 last season. Panthers fans have observed their owner play perhaps the lead role during this period. Beyond Tepper throwing a drink at a fan last season, the primary concerns about the owner have been overreach-based. Frank Reich confirmed Tepper carried considerable input into football operations last year, and Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline notes a number of league insiders indicate the Carolina czar has not cooled down on this front. Tepper, who has been tabbed as difficult to work for in the past, said at Dave Canales‘ introductory presser he would step back regarding personnel matters. This latest report suggests he has not done so.

From steering the Bryce Young trade to authorizing the monster Matt Rhule contract to firing Reich after 11 games, Tepper has made a mark in his early ownership years. Given how chaotic last year’s coaching setup was believed to be — due in no small part to Tepper’s role — the owner’s involvement will continue to be a central issue as the Panthers attempt to climb out of the NFL’s basement.

Here is the latest from the NFC South:

  • Ryan Pace will continue to move up in the Falcons‘ front office. Fired from his Bears GM post following the 2021 season, Pace received a second promotion from the Falcons recently. The team moved him from director of pro personnel to VP of football operations/personnel. Pace last promotion took place during the 2023 offseason. Pace, 47, began his Atlanta stint as a senior personnel executive in 2022. No GM interviews have come his way since the Chicago ouster. The Falcons also promoted Hakeem Smith from assistant pro scout to pro scout and hired Cami Pasqualoni and Kevin Weisman as scouting assistants. Cami is the daughter of former Lions DC and Syracuse HC Paul Pasqualoni; she had previously worked in the Orange’s recruiting department.
  • The Buccaneers are not planning to bring in a kicker to push Chase McLaughlin. Todd Bowles said (via ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine) it is “a little late for competition.” McLaughlin has missed two kicks during the preseason. Any type of competition might be a bit rash as well, seeing as the sixth-year specialist made 93.5% of his field goal tries (29 of 31) and all 33 of his extra points last season. This included 7-for-8 from 50-plus yards. The Bucs also re-signed McLaughlin on a three-year, $12.3MM deal in March. The kicker’s 2024 and ’25 base salaries are guaranteed.
  • Justin Simmons‘ New Orleans visit effectively alerted the football world the Saints were not satisfied with the safety position alongside Tyrann Mathieu. Dennis Allen confirmed that recently, indicating no one has seized the job yet. Jordan Howden started in place of the since-cut Marcus Maye during the latter’s injury- and suspension-driven absences last season, but the Saints also re-signed former first-rounder-turned-nomad Johnathan Abram. The team has given Abram and recently added DB Will Harris starting nods, respectively, in its two preseason games. Simmons signed a one-year, $7.5MM deal with the Falcons following a multi-day visit.

Latest On Matt Judon’s Patriots Departure

August 20th, 2024 at 1:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the Patriots gave notable contracts to several in-house options this offseason, Matt Judon is now with the Falcons. That became New England’s solution to a simmering issue, with solid offers coming in from multiple teams.

After losing the Montez Sweat sweepstakes to the Bears at the deadline, the Falcons won out by sending a third-rounder to the Pats. Judon remains in a contract year and, unlike Haason Reddick, is not forcing the issue with his new team. No extension appears imminent. This is not the way, of course, Judon approached matters during his final weeks as a Patriot.

Judon’s situation, which involved a hold-in and a visible dustup with Patriots brass at practice, escalated after the Patriots extended Christian Barmore, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. This agreement (four years, $84MM) came to pass back in late April, leading into the Pats’ offseason program. It made Barmore the Pats’ highest-paid defender — by a significant margin. Although Judon received an adjustment last summer, he was still tied to a four-year, $54MM deal he had signed in 2021. The ex-Ravens draftee had outplayed that contract, but his age (32) and the biceps tear he sustained last season complicated his path to new terms.

The Pats were talking extension terms with both Barmore and Judon back in March, but conversations with the latter did not progress. Judon did not skip minicamp, but he staged a hold-in at training camp. New England’s camp then included a two-year, $18MM deal with DT Davon Godchaux, a player who had also angled for a new contract. The Patriots had submitted an offer by early July, and a subsequent report stated multiple proposals emerged. These were not believed to be true extension offers, and Judon disputed the report. Judon said he was not pursuing a top-market contract, citing his injury, but believed he was worth more than the $6.5MM in base salary — a number affected by the Pats moving money from 2024 to 2023 on his deal last summer — he was tied to in his contract year.

This lengthy chapter also included the dispute with Jerod Mayo and de facto GM Eliot Wolf. Judon argued with both Pats decision-makers before leaving a practice weeks ago, and although he soon returned, Breer indicates calls began coming in soon after. The Bears and Falcons offered third-round picks, and the Dolphins and Texans were in on the pursuit as well. Judon now joins Justin Simmons as 30-something Falcons defenders aiming to improve their respective markets ahead of the 2025 free agency period.

As for the Patriots, this trade will challenge their ability to pressure quarterbacks. Barmore remains on New England’s NFI list due to blood clots. If the team’s 2023 sack leader is moved to the reserve/NFI list in the coming days, he must miss at least four games. While the Pats have the recently re-signed Josh Uche and 2023 second-rounder Keion White on the edge, Judon combined for 28 sacks between the 2021 and ’22 seasons.

After Judon saw so many Patriots receive extensions this offseason, the situation became untenable. The Pats did well to collect a third-rounder, though, and how Judon bounces back will help determine who prevails in the NFC South.

Matt Judon Not Seeking Falcons Extension

August 19th, 2024 at 9:22pm CST by Adam La Rose

As a pending free agent attached to a below-market contract, Matt Judon‘s financial situation was a point of contention this offseason. His trade from the Patriots to the Falcons paved the way for a change of scenery, but it does not appear it will be accompanied by a new deal.

Judon is due $7.5MM in 2024, including a $6.5MM base salary which will lock in just before Week 1. He publicly stated he sees his value on a multi-year deal as being much closer to the top of the edge rush market, although his 2023 biceps injury limits his leverage in seeking a raise. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said in the wake of the trade the team was comfortable in not pursing an extension agreement, and the four-time Pro Bowler is on board with that approach.

“The Falcons know nothing about me as a football player or as a man,” Judon said when speaking to the media on Monday (via ESPN’s Marc Raimondi). “They know my previous resume. I can’t really demand or ask for anything I haven’t worked for. I’m gonna work for it.” 

The 32-year-old did not receive a new financial commitment from the Patriots – something which was the case for a slew of other New England players this offseason. That resulted in brief missed time at training camp before a return to practice and an increase in trade interest from outside teams. The Bears joined the Falcons in offering a third-round pick, and a Sunday report indicated Judon was given the choice between the two teams.

The former fifth-rounder declined to offer a firm comment on that subject during his media availability, but in any event he will be counted on to provide high-end production with the Falcons. Judon racked up 32 sacks in 33 Patriots games, and a strong (not to mention healthy) campaign in Atlanta will help his market value. It seems his next contract will have to wait until after his debut Falcons season, though.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/18/24

August 18th, 2024 at 7:36pm CST by Adam La Rose

Sunday’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Chicago Bears

  • Activated from active/NFI list: T Kiran Amegadjie

Cleveland Browns

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

  • Activated from active/NFI list: Tanner Taula
  • Waived (injury designation): DL Eric Banks

Washington signed in late July, but his Falcons tenure has proven to be brief. The 28-year-old was let go to clear a roster spot for Justin Simmons‘ arrival. Washington last played a regular season game in 2022, and he will now look to find another opportunity ahead of roster cutdowns.

Bears, Dolphins, Texans Showed Interest In Matt Judon; No Falcons Extension Imminent

August 18th, 2024 at 4:02pm CST by Adam La Rose

AUGUST 18: With third-round picks on the table from both the Falcons and Bears, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated notes Judon was given the choice of which suitor he would prefer to join. His decision to head to Atlanta has not been followed up by an extension, but it adds an interesting layer to his Patriots departure given Chicago’s perceived need for a starting edge rusher to pair with Montez Sweat.

AUGUST 15: Matt Judon‘s contact issue with the Patriots was resolved last night when a trade with the Falcons was worked out. That swap is now official, and New England received a third-round pick as compensation for the pending free agent edge rusher.

Atlanta had competition for Judon before the trade was agreed to. The Bears were “heavily involved” in negotiations, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Just as the Falcons did, Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston notes Chicago offered a third-round selection. The Patriots opted to take Atalanta’s pick instead, marking an end to a saga which included missed practice time and frustration over the lack of progress on extension talks.

Perry confirms, to little surprise, that a “sizable gap” existed between Judon’s asking price and where the Patriots were willing to go on a new contract. The four-time Pro Bowler was highly productive during his New England tenure, but a 2023 biceps injury along with his age (32 today) represented reasons for hesitancy on the team’s part. After no resolution was found, the former fifth-rounder will now join a Falcons team which explored an edge rush addition on Day 1 of the draft even after selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. 

In addition to the Bears, Fowler and KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson report the Dolphins and Texans showed varying levels of interest in a Judon acquisition. Wilson adds that Houston’s efforts consisted of a “brief inquiry,” and New England no doubt would have preferred to avoid making a trade within the division in the form of a Miami swap. The Pats’ ability to acquire a round three selection came as a surprise to some executives around the league, per Perry, and sending Judon to the NFC also carries value.

The Grand Valley State alum is due a base salary of $6.5MM in 2024 in addition to a maximum of $1MM in per-game roster bonuses. A new contract will be much more valuable, but it does not appear one will necessarily be hammered out between now and the start of the regular season. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports Judon is set to report to Atlanta without an extension in place or an agreement on one being imminent. Indeed, head coach Raheem Morris said (via Josh Kendall of The Athletic) the team is not committed to an extension at this time.

Players acquired via trade often have the parameters of a new contract in place by the time the swap is official. Exceptions exist, of course, and one ongoing example of the issues which can stem from not finalizing a new (or restructured) deal is the situation between the Jets and Haason Reddick. New York’s recently-acquired edge rusher has one year remaining on a below-market contract, and he has not reported to the team while angling for an adjustment or a multi-year commitment.

Judon did not conduct a holdout as he did last summer, but he made it clear he felt his market value was closer to the top of the position’s pecking order than his 2024 compensation. 12 edge rushers are currently attached to an AAV of $20MM or more; Judon may be hard-pressed to reach that mark given the fact he was limited to just four games last season. Still, a raise could be in order upon arrival in Atlanta. If the Falcons remain willing to let him play out his contract as constructed, though, Judon would be set up to hit the open market next March.

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