Atlanta Falcons News & Rumors

Falcons To Re-Sign WR KhaDarel Hodge

March 12th, 2025 at 3:38pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Falcons are re-signing wide receiver and special teams ace KhaDarel Hodge, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Hodge was named to the Pro Bowl as a special teamer in 2024, the first of his career. He cashed in with a two-year, $6MM deal in Atlanta, a solid raise over his $1.3MM contract last year.

The 30-year-old originally signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He didn’t make the initial 53-man roster, but appeared in 14 games as a rookie by demonstrating the special teams prowess that would come to define his career.

Hodge was waived by the Rams during final roster cuts in 2019 and was claimed by the Browns. He played 16 games in Cleveland and was re-signed for another year as an exclusive rights free agent. In 2020, Hodge carved out a larger role on offense, but only appeared in nine games due to injuries. The Browns placed an RFA tag on him after the season, but moved on during final roster cuts before the 2021 season. Hodge spent the season with the Lions, playing 16 games with most of his involvement coming on special teams.

Hodge then found a long-term home in Atlanta, signing a one-year deal in 2022 and re-upping in each of the last two offseasons. Now, he’s set to continue playing for the Falcons through the 2026 season.

Falcons, Leonard Floyd Agree To Deal

March 11th, 2025 at 3:49pm CST by Adam La Rose

Leonard Floyd has very quickly managed to find a new home. Shortly after his 49ers release, the veteran edge rusher has lined up a deal with Atlanta.

Floyd is headed to the Falcons, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. This will be a one-year contract worth $10MM. The deal represents a homecoming for the Georgia native. Floyd’s pact is guaranteed in full, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.

Floyd inked a two-year deal with the 49ers last offseason, and in his debut San Francisco campaign he finished second on the team with 8.5 sacks. In spite of that production, a release was known to be possible in advance of the offseason. The 49ers moved on earlier today, making Floyd one of the most attractive veteran edge rushers on the market.

The Falcons (recently listed as a Trey Hendrickson suitor) have long been in need of production along the edge. The Matt Judon trade was aimed at filling that void last offseason, and he managed 5.5 sacks in 2024. Judon is set to officially reach free agency starting tomorrow, though, and it would come as little surprise if he were to depart. With between 8.5 and 10.5 sacks in each of the past five years, Floyd will be counted on to provide notable production upon arrival.

The Georgia product will join an edge rush group featuring the likes of Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie and 2024 third-rounder Bralen Trice. If Floyd manages another strong campaign, the Falcons will be able to take a needed step forward in terms of sack production. The team ranked 31st in the NFL with just 31 in 2024.

Atlanta has made several moves related to retaining and extending in-house players so far this offseason. The only other outside addition so far is the agreement with linebacker Divine Deablo. Floyd will join him in a new-look front seven in 2025 and aim to help his free agent stock for next spring in the process.

Falcons To Re-Sign CB Mike Hughes

March 11th, 2025 at 3:18pm CST by Adam La Rose

After spending the past two years with the Falcons, Mike Hughes‘ time with the team is set to continue. The veteran corner has a new deal in place with Atlanta, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.

This will be a three-year contract, Fowler adds. Hughes can collect up to $18MM over the course of the pact. He operated as a full-time starter in 2024, and that will remain the expectation moving forward with this new commitment.

Hughes split the first five years of his career between the Vikings, Chiefs and Lions. His playing time fluctuated over that span, as he never managed to establish himself as a full-time starter. The former first-rounder took a two-year deal to join the Falcons in 2023, though, and that decision has proven to be a fruitful one.

After handling a snap share of only 33% during his debut Atlanta season, Hughes started all 15 of his games in 2024. His 720 snaps were the highest of his career, and the 28-year-old set a new personal mark with 66 tackles while adding six pass breakups. Just before his $3.5MM-per-year pact was set to expire, Hughes has translated his first-team production into a multi-year pact and a notable raise.

Atlanta has A.J. Terrell attached to one of the largest cornerback contracts in the NFL, and he will remain an anchor in the secondary moving forward. Hughes has proven to be a trusted No. 2 option, although his 105.8 passer rating allowed is something the Falcons will hope to see improvement on over the course of this new deal. Nonetheless, the CB position is less of a priority with the onset of the new league year (and, next month, the draft) approaching.

The Falcons have worked out a deal for one outside addition so far (linebacker Divine Deablo) but have otherwise focused on internal matters. Hughes falls into the latter category, and it will be interesting to see if his new Atlanta pact pays off as well as the first one did.

Falcons To Sign LB Divine Deablo

March 11th, 2025 at 8:18am CST by Adam La Rose

Robert Spillane agreed to a deal which will see him depart the Raiders on Monday. Fellow linebacker Divine Deablo is also set to head elsewhere in free agency.

The latter has agreed to a two-year deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The pact is worth $14MM and will pay out $8MM in the first year, Rapoport adds. After serving as a starter for much of the time spent playing out his rookie contract, Deablo will be expected to do the same in Atlanta.

Although Pete Carroll retained Patrick Graham and expressed interest in retaining several of the Raiders’ UFAs, Deablo and Spillane join Tre’von Moehrig and Nate Hobbs in leaving. The Raiders have been able to re-sign Adam Butler and Malcolm Koonce, however. The Falcons will now see if Deablo can assimilate into a new system.

A converted safety, Deablo has started 42 career games. He played a regular role for a 2023 Raiders team that snapped a long-running Raiders streak. After 20 straight seasons ranking in the bottom half in scoring defense, the Raiders finished ninth in Graham’s second season in charge. Deablo posted a career-high 106 tackles (for four loss) that season. He has logged a snap rate of at least 75% in each of the past three years, though the former third-round pick saw injury trouble limit him to only eight games in 2022.

Going into his age-27 season, Deablo will join a Falcons team that did not tender Nathan Landman (23 starts since 2023) as an RFA. The Falcons still roster former second-rounder Troy Andersen and versatile LB Kaden Elliss, who came over to join Ryan Nielsen from the Saints in 2023. Atlanta has changed DCs twice since that point, now employing Jeff Ulbrich in that role. Some turnover appears afoot at linebacker, as Deablo’s $7MM AAV would be a bit high to work as a backup or nominal starter who comes off the field in sub-packages.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

DT Grady Jarrett To Land With Bears

March 10th, 2025 at 2:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

Grady Jarrett has rebounded swiftly from cap-casualty status. Hours after the Falcons released him, the veteran defensive tackle is joining the Bears on a deal fairly comparable to his previous Atlanta pact.

Chicago is adding Jarrett on a three-year, $43.5MM deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who adds $28.5MM will be guaranteed at signing. This represents a win for the 10-year Falcon, who is going into an age-32 season.

This signing comes after the Falcons had offered Jarrett a reduced deal, but ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler indicates the interior D-lineman believed his market value would produce a better contract. He appears to have been right. Jarrett will join a Bears team that has been busy along its lines. After trading for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, Chicago agreed to bring in Drew Dalman at center and Dayo Odeyingbo at DT.

While Dalman and Odeyingbo are first-time free agents, Jarrett and Thuney are closer to the end of their respective careers. The two faced off back in Super Bowl LI, a breakout night for Jarrett that included three sacks of Tom Brady. Thuney has maintained a higher performance level, earning back-to-back first-team All-Pro nods, but Jarrett has fared well contractually. This is his third veteran contract, after the Falcons had paid the former fifth-rounder in 2018 and 2022.

Jarrett has three double-digit TFL seasons, with his most recent slate coming in 2022. That marked Jarrett’s last season before an ACL tear, which marred his 2023 campaign. While Jarrett returned to action on time last year, he only accumulated 2.5 sacks. Though, the Falcons have continually offered Jarrett little support in terms of edge pressure. He has still racked up 77 TFLs and 36.5 sacks. Teaming with Odeyingbo and Montez Sweat presents a better situation than Jarrett has enjoyed in many years.

The Bears had used former second-round pick Gervon Dexter as a primary starter at DT, but it appears the 2022 draftee will be sliding to the second team soon. Fellow starter Andrew Billings remains under contract as well, but Jarrett and Odeyingbo will supply a high-priced tandem to help Chicago after its defense ranked 27th in yards allowed last season. The Bears were 28th against the run.

Falcons To Release DT Grady Jarrett

March 10th, 2025 at 9:36am CST by Sam Robinson

Grady Jarrett‘s time with the Falcons is coming to an end. The two-time Pro Bowler is being released, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report.

The Falcons had been linked to exploring a Jarrett separation, initially via trade, and the cap-strapped team will move forward with a release. The Falcons will save more than $16MM by dropping Jarrett, their longest-tenured defender.

Atlanta had extended Jarrett — on a three-year, $49.5MM deal — in 2022 but saw him suffer an ACL tear in October 2023. Although Jarrett returned for the 2024 season on time, he totaled just 2.5 sacks. His 12 QB hits were also south of the prime-years production that landed a fifth-round success story two Falcons extensions. Ahead of Jarrett’s age-32 season, a Falcons team that entered Monday over the cap will move on.

Atlanta (again) has major questions to answer regarding its pass rush. Even with Jarrett in the lineup, the Falcons ranked 31st in sacks (31) last season. The team also has let Matt Judon and Lorenzo Carter hit the market. Former second-rounder Arnold Ebiketie remains on the roster, but Raheem Morris‘ team has work to do both up front and at outside linebacker this offseason.

Garrett’s exit will leave only Jake Matthews, whom the Falcons extended Sunday night, remaining from the team’s Super Bowl LI roster. Jarrett’s three sacks that night put him on the map, and the Falcons eventually paid him twice. After a four-year, $68MM extension, Jarrett earned a three-year, $49.5MM pact. After not being allowed to play out that contract, Jarrett will be heading elsewhere for the first time in his NFL career.

This transaction will move the Falcons into the black for cap space, but they still should be considered likely to make other roster adjustments to create room, as defensive needs are widespread going into Morris’ second season as a full-time Falcons HC.

Free Agency Rumors: Raiders, Murphy, Holland, Jets, Dalman, Bears, Falcons, OL

March 9th, 2025 at 10:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Byron Murphy was on the 2023 market, but the four-year Cardinals starter settled for a midlevel two-year deal. After a productive Vikings run, the former No. 33 overall pick has set himself up for a second payday. On a market featuring a host of third-contract-seeking corners, Murphy may be in the best shape due to going into an age-27 season. A suitor has emerged for the six-year vet in the Raiders, with The Athletic’s Tashan Reed labeling him a top priority for the Silver and Black. Murphy has set a high asking price, potentially up to $20MM per year, though the Vikings are exploring a second contract.

Elsewhere in the Raiders’ secondary, the team still wants to keep Tre’von Moehrig. With Moehrig expected to do well on the market, the Raiders may need a backup plan. Identifying Moehrig as the most difficult of Las Vegas’ in-house free agents to retain, Reed mentions Murphy teammate Camryn Bynum as a player to watch for a potential addition. Evidently viewing the Vikings’ secondary as a well-run unit, the Raiders have both starting safeties (Moehrig, Marcus Epps) hitting the market. Moehrig landed 24th on our top 50 free agents list, Bynum 36th. Bynum joins Murphy in going into an age-27 season and as a player who played a key role in helping Minnesota form a top-five defense.

Here is the latest from the free agent market:

Jevon Holland has been tied to the Panthers and Titans, with the Dolphins not giving up hope — reminding of their Christian Wilkins and Robert Hunt final hours — of retaining him. The Jets should be a team to monitor for Holland as well, SNY’s Connor Hughes tweets. No. 6 on our FA list, Holland has been linked to potentially commanding as much as $20MM per year. The Jets have Chuck Clark, Jalen Mills and Ashtyn Davis due for free agency. Holland would be a much pricier replacement, but the Jets have a veteran secondary coach (Aaron Glenn) as HC now. Glenn just had considerable success developing Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch.
The Jets are not expected to retain Tyler Conklin, Hughes adds. Conklin played three seasons with the Jets, outdoing C.J. Uzomah after both were signed in the same offseason. Conklin, 29, could do reasonably well on the market. This is a thin TE market, with Juwan Johnson and now Evan Engram profiling as the top options. Mike Gesicki scored a three-year, $25.5MM Bengals deal. Conklin has been more consistent. He was oddly more productive with Zach Wilson, posting a career-high 621 yards in 2023; he tallied 449 and a career-high four TDs last year.
Extending Jake Matthews stands to create some cap space for the Falcons, but Drew Dalman will draw a strong market, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz notes. A three-year Falcons center starter, Dalman looks to be the top snapper available ahead of his age-27 season. The Bears are being mentioned as a team to monitor for Dalman, Schultz adds. Chicago has been busy revamping its interior O-line in Ben Johnson‘s first weeks on the job, trading for Joe Thuney and ex-Lions starter Jonah Jackson. Dalman would fetch an upper-crust center deal, but the Bears do have two rookie tackle salaries (for now) and Caleb Williams‘ rookie-scale deal around which to build.
Dan Moore Jr. has been set to leave Pittsburgh for a while, as the Steelers used back-to-back first-round picks on tackles. The four-year Pittsburgh LT is expected to command at least $15MM on the open market, with Schultz adding a high-teens AAV may be required. Ronnie Stanley landed a $20MM-per-year deal from the Ravens. The more accomplished tackle is four years older and more injury-prone than Moore. In what would be a more surprising free agency market, Schultz adds the 49ers’ Jaylon Moore may score a deal on the same level as the more experienced Moore. Jaylon Moore, a 2021 fifth-rounder, filled in for Trent Williams last season and has 15 starts on his resume. With Stanley and Alaric Jackson off the board, the Moores and Cam Robinson stand to do well.

Commanders, Falcons Interested In Trey Hendrickson; Bengals Made Extension Push

March 9th, 2025 at 9:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

MARCH 9: Updating the situation, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini notes that the Bengals are talking to several teams and asking for “significant” compensation in a trade. Even if it is not Hendrickson, the Commanders want to add a defensive end, per ESPN.com’s John Keim. Josh Sweat and Khalil Mack headline the list, though Joey Bosa is now available. Younger rushers like Azeez Ojulari and Malcolm Koonce are also set for free agency.

MARCH 6: As the Bengals — perhaps at their quarterback’s urging — have changed their messaging on Tee Higgins, a tricky situation emerged due to Ja’Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson also being in contract years. With Joe Burrow on a top-market deal, it appeared something had to give. Right now, it looks like that piece will be Hendrickson.

A year after shooting down Hendrickson’s trade request, the Bengals have given their top pass rusher permission to find a new team. With Sam Hubbard retiring Wednesday and Joseph Ossai on the cusp of free agency, the Bengals could need a new plan at defensive end soon. As could be expected, Hendrickson suitors are out there.

[RELATED: Bengals, Ja’Marr Chase Not Close On Deal]

The Commanders are among the several interested teams, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, who adds the Falcons are also monitoring this situation. With the edge rusher market soaring past $35MM per year, Hendrickson will have a chance to parlay his sack title into a windfall. This comes ahead of the former Saints draftee’s age-31 season, representing an important stage to secure a big payday.

Hendrickson’s camp will have a chance to work out an extension with another team, the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway notes. This would separate the Hendrickson matter from last year’s Haason Reddick situation, when the Jets sent a third-rounder to the Eagles for a player they did not intend to extend — at least, not immediately. The Hendrickson situation would appear to be smoother, as Conway adds the trade compensation part would come next.

The Bengals had negotiated with Hendrickson, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, but the standout D-end did not view the team’s market as in step with his value. Maxx Crosby just signed the NFL’s richest non-quarterback contract, at $35.5MM per year. Hendrickson is tied to a one-year, $21MM deal — agreed to while he was on a four-year, $60MM pact. The market has moved considerably since the latter deal came to pass. Although rumblings of the team being willing to pay Chase, Higgins and Hendrickson emerged, that seemed like wishful thinking.

It probably is no coincidence the Hendrickson trade news is coming not long after. The market could move significantly this offseason, as T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett and perhaps Aidan Hutchinson join Hendrickson in being on the extension radar. Hendrickson now joins Garrett as a trade candidate.

Chase is set to become at least the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver, and a whopping $40MM-per-year number — after his triple-crown season — has been floated. Higgins was tied to a $30MM-plus number at multiple points this offseason, when it looked like free agency was a realistic possibility. As Burrow has turned up the heat on the organization, Higgins has received a second franchise tag. After an extended stretch where it looked like the Bengals would extend Chase and either find a Higgins trade partner — in a tag-and-trade scenario — or merely separate in free agency, the team looks much more serious about extending its high-end No. 2 wideout. That leaves Hendrickson a trade chip.

While the Bengals are not known for third contracts, they did hand those out to both Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins in the late 2010s. Hendrickson technically signed a third Cincy deal, a one-year add-on in 2023, but he is seeking a true extension. He had kept the door open to his next deal coming from another team, and the Bengals are now willing to listen on trade offers.

The Falcons have been in search of a quality edge rusher for many years. Their Matt Judon trade did not produce Patriots-like production from the veteran talent, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter reports the Falcons will not re-sign Judon before free agency. Judon, 32, will hit the market for a second time. Lorenzo Carter is also set for free agency, again bringing a major need for Atlanta at this premium position. GM Terry Fontenot was also in the Saints’ front office when they drafted Hendrickson.

Washington received surprising production from Dante Fowler‘s latest Dan Quinn reunion; the former No. 3 overall pick totaled a Commanders-high 10.5 sacks last season, outproducing $10MM-per-year teammate Dorance Armstrong (five). Fowler is heading back to free agency. While Frankie Luvu has helped out in a pass-rushing role in Carolina and Washington, the team has a need at defensive end. With Jayden Daniels‘ rookie contract opening the door for additions — and the team is preparing to make them on defense — Washington would be a prime destination for a disgruntled D-end.

Falcons, Jake Matthews Agree On Extension

March 9th, 2025 at 7:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Michael Penix Jr. ascent no longer makes Jake Matthews a blindside blocker, the Falcons are planning for the veteran tackle to help guide the young quarterback during his rookie-contract years.

Despite turning 33 earlier this year, Matthews has scored a fourth NFL contract. The Falcons are giving Matthews a two-year, $45MM deal, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo reports. This does not look to be a wait-and-see agreement for 2026, as Garafolo adds Atlanta is guaranteeing its longtime left tackle $38MM at signing.

Matthews already was signed through the 2026 season, as the Falcons huddled up with him on a three-year, $55.5MM extension in 2022. GM Terry Fontenot authorized that extension, but Atlanta’s plan has changed significantly since. After keeping Matthews in the fold to help post-Matt Ryan, the Falcons bailed on their Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder experiments to both sign Kirk Cousins and draft Penix eighth overall. The Cousins part of that backfired, via a benching, and the veteran is trying to engineer a release. Cousins remains on the Falcons’ roster, for now, but Penix will be taking the reps with Matthews during the offseason program.

While the Falcons have long-term O-line pieces in Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary, Matthews goes back to a previous era for the franchise. He and Grady Jarrett are the last players remaining from Atlanta’s Super Bowl LI roster. The Falcons chose Matthews in the 2014 first round (sixth overall), installing him as a Ryan blindside protector. Matthews blocked for the former MVP for eight seasons, earning first extension (five years, $72.5MM) in 2018. As the cap has climbed by more than $100MM since, Matthews continues to cash in.

Jake’s father, Hall of Fame O-lineman Bruce Matthews, displayed some of the greatest longevity in NFL history. The former Oiler/Titan mainstay played 19 seasons. Jake has logged 11 but has missed only one career game; that came all the way back in 2014. The Falcons have been able to count on Jake Matthews for more than a sixth of their existence. Pro Football Focus graded the LT stalwart as the league’s 15th-best tackle last season. Though, the third-generation NFL player has just one Pro Bowl (2018) on his resume.

This extension stands to reduce Matthews’ 2025 cap number, which was previously at $21.77MM. The Falcons came into Sunday in the red in terms of cap space, residing more than $5MM over before this Matthews payday. This could point free agent center Drew Dalman out the door. We placed Dalman 14th among free agents this year. He appears certain to become an eight-figure-per-year player soon. The Falcons having Matthews and Lindstrom as their O-line anchors, with McGary and Matthew Bergeron as other starters under contract, would keep them in decent shape if Dalman departs. They would need a center replacement, though.

Kirk Cousins Pushing For Falcons Release

March 7th, 2025 at 10:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Contrary to what most expected coming out of the 2024 season, Falcons GM Terry Fontenot has held the line on keeping Kirk Cousins as a backup. This would mean taking on another $10MM (via a roster bonus due in less than two weeks) on a player due a fully guaranteed $27.5MM base salary.

Michael Penix Jr. has established himself as the clear-cut starter in Atlanta going into the offseason, after the team had prepared for Cousins to start two years before a baton pass. Considering how quickly teams throw first-round picks into the fire, that long-term plan never appeared realistic. And Cousins’ poor play down the stretch prompted Raheem Morris to pull the plug early. Rumors about a Cousins release emerged soon after, but he remains a Falcon days before free agency.

Cousins appears to be pushing the Falcons to cut him. The 36-year-old QB sought a meeting with Arthur Blank and received it, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, who reports the benched passer is seeking a 2025 destination in which he could end up a starter. Blank did not give Cousins any assurances, as Breer adds the owner will attempt to “do what’s best for the team at QB.” The meeting occurred Wednesday night.

Holding a no-trade clause, Cousins does not appear a realistic trade candidate. The roster bonus and $27.5MM base salary would probably be a non-starter, considering how Cousins deteriorated down the stretch. Yet, some teams did leave the Combine believing the Falcons would actually hang onto the high-priced passer, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds. Cousins suitors are still being told he will not be released, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tweets. Teams have only contacted the Falcons about a potential release, with Russini adding no trade talks are ongoing.

Fontenot has said on multiple occasions this offseason he indeed views Cousins as the team’s 2025 backup. Understandably, Cousins is not onboard with that arrangement.

Cousins signed a four-year, $180MM deal to start for the Falcons; $90MM came guaranteed at signing. Another $10MM, which is due soon, was viewed as a practical guarantee since it was assumed the Falcons would not cut Cousins after one season. Some around the league did wonder if Cousins would be traded, with the 49ers (as a Brock Purdy contingency plan) coming up. But Cousins’ benching — after a rough stretch of games that helped sink the Falcons — certainly tanked his trade value. During his final five starts, Cousins sported a 1-9 TD-INT ratio.

While Cousins’ value has cratered, many teams need 2025 starting QBs ahead of a draft not replete with options. The Browns and Jets have been connected early; Cousins has played for Kevin Stefanski before and negotiated with the Jets as a free agent in 2018. Cousins is running out of chances, after the Falcons partnership went south so quickly, but if released he might fit in as a Russell Wilson-like option on a minimum salary. Offset language appears in Cousins’ Falcons deal, so his next contract would subtract from the dead money that would appear on the Falcons’ cap sheet.

If Cousins does secure a release, he would join a market featuring younger starter options (Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, Daniel Jones) and veterans (Wilson, Aaron Rodgers). Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders may need bridge players, however, and this lot of QBs would be jockeying for spots, as no other surefire starting QBs have made themselves known in this draft pool just yet. Cousins can pitch to teams that he will be nearly two years past his October 2023 Achilles tear, as that may do plenty of work since selling his 2024 season would not be a good starting point.

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