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Drake London Drake London Getting fifth-year option
Wed, Apr 30, 2025, 9:46 AM
The Falcons are exercising their fifth-year option on London's rookie contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: The eighth overall pick from the 2022 Draft is now under contract through 2026, although it may not be long before he signs an extension that locks him in beyond that. London had career highs in every major counting stat last year, including 41 more targets (158) and 366 more yards (1,271) than his previous personal bests. He had just three 100-yard performances, but two of those came in the final two games after Michael Penix took over as Atlanta's starting QB. There should be plenty of volume for London again in 2025, after the Falcons focused on their defense this offseason and failed to acquire any significant competition for targets or carries. |
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Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Suitors may include Vikings?
Wed, Apr 23, 2025, 8:52 AM
The Browns, Steelers and Vikings may be interested in acquiring Cousins, whose contract includes a no-trade clause, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The contract also has a guaranteed $27.5 million salary for 2025, plus a guaranteed $10 million roster bonus in 2026. Cousins somewhat unexpectedly showed up for the start of Atlanta's voluntary OTAs this week, but he still seems to be hoping for a trade that would put him in a starting role -- preferably without competition from an early draft pick at the position. Pittsburgh would seem to be the cleanest fit, if Aaron Rodgers doesn't end up signing there and the Steelers don't use an early pick on a QB later this week. Falcons GM Terry Fontenot responded to some of the rumors and reports Wednesday, saying it's "not accurate" that the team has asked potential trade partners to take on at least $20 million of Cousins' salary, per Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. |
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Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Shows up for voluntary workouts
Tue, Apr 22, 2025, 1:11 PM
Cousins is present for the start of Atlanta's voluntary OTAs on Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Cousins' attendance at voluntary OTAs is something of a surprise, after his having been benched Week 16 of last season in favor of 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix, who is slated to kick off the 2025 campaign under center. Atlanta could have released Cousins in mid-March to avoid having his $10 million guaranteed roster bonus kick in, but the team opted to keep the veteran quarterback in house as a backup option or trade candidate. However, Cousins' contract includes a no trade-clause which he seems unlikely to waive unless the chance to inherit a starting role elsewhere materializes. |
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Easton Stick Easton Stick Inked by Atlanta
Mon, Apr 21, 2025, 4:05 PM
The Falcons signed Stick on Monday.
Analysis: Stick is a 2019 fifth-round pick who spent the entirety of his NFL career before now with the Chargers. He suited up for five games (four starts) in 2023, completing 63.8 percent of his passes for 1,129 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, but didn't log any regular-season action in 2024. Kirk Cousins currently remains on Atlanta's roster as the backup to Michael Penix, but if the veteran quarterback ultimately does waive his no-trade clause for a chance to compete elsewhere, Stick could get an opportunity to step into the No. 2 role. |
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Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Not expected at OTAs
Tue, Apr 1, 2025, 9:56 AM
Cousins isn't expected to show up for voluntary OTAs this spring, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Analysis: The Falcons kept Cousins on the roster in mid-March rather than releasing him to avoid having a $10 million guarantee kicking in. He may still be traded at some point this offseason, but there's a real chance he enters Week 1 as the backup in Atlanta behind 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix. The Falcons benched Cousins in favor of Penix for the final three games last season, with the rookie completing 58 of 100 passes for 737 yards (7.4 YPA), three TDs and three INTs, plus seven carries for 11 yards and another score. Penix played well enough to keep the starting job heading into 2025, but perhaps not well enough for the Falcons to be confident that he's a franchise QB in the making. |
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Teagan Quitoriano Teagan Quitoriano Signs with Atlanta
Fri, Mar 28, 2025, 2:39 PM
The Falcons are signing Quitoriano (calf) on Friday after hosting him for a workout, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Quitoriano was limited to seven-regular season appearances with Houston in 2024 before sustaining a calf injury. He didn't record any receptions in that span. Now having proved his healthy via a workout with Atlanta, Quitoriano will spend the offseason competing to secure another reserve gig. |
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Feleipe Franks Feleipe Franks Returns to Atlanta
Thu, Mar 20, 2025, 7:00 PM
Franks signed a one-year deal with the Falcons on Thursday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Analysis: The tight end caught one pass for 12 yards in 16 games with the Panthers in 2024, playing more on special teams (302 snaps) than offense (44 snaps). Franks spent 2023 on the Falcons' injured reserve list with an undisclosed issue but suited up for 20 combined games with the team the previous two seasons. He did not record a catch in either campaign. |
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Jamal Agnew Jamal Agnew Signs with Atlanta
Thu, Mar 20, 2025, 6:36 PM
Agnew signed a one-year deal worth up to $2.5 million with the Falcons on Thursday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The returner and wide receiver spent time on Pittsburgh's practice squad last year after breaking his leg late in the 2023 campaign with Jacksonville. Agnew's career high for catches is just 24, recorded when he was with the Jaguars in 2021, but he does have six career return touchdowns on punts and kickoffs. The 2017 fifth-round pick of the Lions should have a chance to earn that type of role with the Falcons in 2025. |
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Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Won't be released ahead of deadline
Sat, Mar 15, 2025, 1:00 PM
The Falcons have decided to keep Cousins on their roster ahead of Saturday's 4 pm ET deadline for his $10 million guarantee to kick in, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Cousins lost his starting job to Michael Penix late last season and has been the subject of trade speculation in recent months. However, the Falcons appear determined to keep him around as a backup and mentor to Penix for at least one more season. It's still possible that a trade partner will emerge to persuade Atlanta to part ways with the veteran quarterback, but Cousins has a no-trade clause in his contract and may waive it only if put in the position to be a starter elsewhere. |
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KhaDarel Hodge KhaDarel Hodge Returns to Atlanta on two-year deal
Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 3:29 PM
Hodge is re-signing with the Falcons on a two-year, $6 million contract Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Hodge rejoins Atlanta, where he's spent the last three years handling a depth role on offense while contributing as a key special-teamer. He's suited up for all 17 regular-season games in each of those years, having secured seven of 12 targets for 131 yards and one score in 2024. |
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Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins May request trade after draft
Thu, Mar 6, 2025, 9:21 AM
Cousins may wait until after the NFL Draft to request a trade and/or waive his no-trade clause, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
Analysis: The idea would be to see which teams use an early pick on a quarterback before finding a new home for 2025. Cousins, of course, signed a four-year contract with the Falcons last offseason, only to see them take Michael Penix with the eighth overall pick. Cousins mostly struggled in his first year back from an Achilles' tear, and Penix eventually took over the starting job for the final three weeks. It may help Cousins to be another year removed from his injury, but he'll also be in his age-37 season, likely nearing the end of the line. It's unclear if he'd generate serious trade interest as a potential starter. |
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Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Dealt with late-season injuries
Tue, Feb 4, 2025, 3:24 PM
Cousins said Tuesday that the right shoulder injury he sustained in Week 10 impacted the quality of his play down the stretch, and contributed to his benching in favor of rookie Michael Penix in Week 16, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Cousins' season looked remarkably different prior to Week 10, as he boasted a 17:7 TD:INT entering the road matchup against New Orleans, compared to a 1:9 TD:INT in his final five appearances. He was listed on the injury report immediately after the contest against the Saints, but was then limited for only one practice before being listed as healthy to conclude the campaign. Coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot also affirmed multiple times that the veteran QB's health wasn't a factor in the decision to bench him for Penix. Still, Cousins' focus to begin the offseason is related to getting healthy. "If we can do that," he said, "[I] feel like I've got a new life ahead of me in pro football." Fontenot has stated that Cousins will work as the backup to Penix during the 2025 season, but if the veteran's struggles were indeed mostly injury-related and he's able to quickly get right, it could make it easier for Atlanta to facilitate a trade. |
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Charlie Woerner Charlie Woerner Sees snap count steadily increase
Wed, Jan 29, 2025, 6:44 PM
Woerner caught seven passes (on 12 targets) for 46 yards across 16 regular-season games in 2024.
Analysis: Woerner signed a three-year, $12 million contract with Atlanta in March of 2024 after spending the first four years of his NFL career with San Francisco. He firmly operated as the Falcons' No. 2 tight end for most of the 2024 campaign behind Kyle Pitts. Woerner saw his playing time on offense increase following the Week 12 bye, playing at least 30 offensive snaps over the final six games of the regular season and logging five catches (on eight targets) for 29 yards over that span. He also registered four tackles (two solo) while contributing on special teams. |
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Avery Williams Avery Williams Limited to return duties in 2024
Wed, Jan 29, 2025, 6:37 PM
Williams did not record a carry or target across 17 regular-season games in 2024, but he did finish with 408 kick return yards and 185 punt return yards.
Analysis: After sitting out the entire 2023 campaign due to a torn ACL in his knee, Williams was able to earn a spot on the Falcons' 53-man roster for the 2024 campaign. With the Falcons' backfield dominated by Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, Williams was exclusively used on special teams as a returner on both kickoffs and punts, but he managed to record six tackles (two solo) while on coverage duties. Williams will enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and should get plenty of interest from teams looking to add a return specialist who could also contribute out of the backfield. |
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David Sills David Sills Headed to Atlanta
Tue, Jan 21, 2025, 6:19 PM
The Falcons signed Sills to a reserve/future contract Tuesday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Sills spent the entire 2024 season on the Broncos' practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp in late August, but he didn't play in the regular season despite being elevated for Week 17 against the Bengals. Sills last saw NFL regular-season action in 2023 with the Giants, during which he played 16 snaps across three games but did not show up in the box score otherwise. The 28-year-old wideout out of West Virginia will take his talents to Atlanta, where he will have a chance to make the Falcons' 53-man roster for the 2025 campaign. |
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Kirk Cousins Kirk Cousins Tabbed for backup role in 2025
Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 3:11 PM
Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said Thursday that Cousins will head into the 2025 season as the No. 2 quarterback behind Michael Penix, Marc Raimondi of ESPN.com reports. "Kirk is a great man and he's been great support for Mike, a great teammate, great support for everybody in the building, so we're very confident moving forward with him as the backup," Fontenot said.
Analysis: Shortly after the Falcons benched Cousins in favor of Penix in Week 16, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the expectation in league circles was that Atlanta would cut Cousins before March 17, when the 36-year-old quarterback is due a $10 million roster bonus. Fontenot pushed back on that report during his press conference Thursday, noting that Atlanta signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal last March with the expectation that they would "get high-level quarterback play for two seasons." That didn't come to fruition, as Cousins completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 3,508 yards and 18 touchdowns while committing 18 turnovers (16 interceptions, two lost fumbles) in 14 starts before Atlanta turned the offense over to the rookie Penix. While Fontenot acknowledged that Cousins didn't perform as well as anticipated, the GM reiterated that the Falcons are comfortable with him as a backup heading into the upcoming season, though that won't preclude the organization from trading him if the right deal emerges. Atlanta would almost certainly have to absorb some of the $27.5 million on Cousins' base salary for 2025 to facilitate any trade. |
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Makai Polk Makai Polk Catches on with Atlanta
Tue, Jan 7, 2025, 4:25 PM
The Falcons signed Polk to a reserve/future contract Tuesday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Polk signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in May of 2022. He never saw NFL regular-season action but did spend stints on the practice squad with the Ravens and Giants in 2022 and 2023. Polk played for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL during the 2024 season, finishing with 61 catches (on 86 targets) for 1,024 yards and five touchdowns across 17 regular-season games. |
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Kyle Pitts Kyle Pitts Minimal production in loss
Tue, Jan 7, 2025, 3:58 PM
Pitts caught two of three targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 44-38 loss to the Panthers.
Analysis: Pitts finished the 2024 campaign with a quiet day against Carolina. The 24-year-old tight end was mostly a disappointment for fantasy managers this season, totaling just 47 catches on 74 targets for 602 yards and four touchdowns. Pitts will remain under contract with Atlanta in 2025, as the Falcons exercised the $10.88 million team option last April. The Florida product will look to turn things around in a contract year next season, and he'll likely be catching passes from Michael Penix at quarterback with Kirk Cousins expected to be cut in the offseason. |
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Elijah Dotson Elijah Dotson Lands in Atlanta
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 4:58 PM
The Falcons signed Dotson to a reserve/future contract Monday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: The Northern Colorado product was added to the Falcons' practice squad in early December after failing to make the Chargers' 53-man roster before the regular season. Dotson appeared in four games with the Chargers in 2023, taking four carries for six yards across 34 total snaps (15 offensive and 19 on special teams). He's expected to compete for a reserve role in Atlanta's backfield as the team begins its offseason activities. |
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Phillip Dorsett Phillip Dorsett Signs with Atlanta
Mon, Jan 6, 2025, 4:40 PM
Dorsett signed a reserve/future contract with the Falcons on Monday, Terrin Waack of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: The 2015 first-round pick from Miami signed with the Falcons' practice squad in late October after failing to catch on with the Broncos, and he's expected to remain in Atlanta following Monday's contract agreement. Dorsett most recently appeared in an NFL game in 2023 with the Broncos, failing to catch any of his three targets over two contests. |
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