ATLANTA FALCONS NEWS

Kaleb McGary - Returning to Atlanta McGary is set to re-sign with the Falcons on a three-year, $34.5 million deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact McGary has missed just three games during his four-year tenure with the Falcons. Although the team opted to decline his fifth-year option prior to the 2022 season, he did enough to earn a new deal throughout the year. The 28-year-old projects to start at right tackle in 2023.

MARCH 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pratt said he stayed in Cincy because he wants to win

Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt said he wanted to stay in Cincinnati because he sees the Bengals continuing to win with Joe Burrow as quarterback

MARCH 14, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP source: Colts planning to release Matt Ryan in cap move

The Indianapolis Colts will release 37-year-old quarterback Matt Ryan in a cost-cutting move

MARCH 14, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Desmond Ridder - Still viewed as Falcons' starter Despite the Falcons' reported signing of Taylor Heinicke, Ridder is still expected to enter training camp as the starting quarterback, ESPN's Michael Rothstein reports.

Impact It's become evident that Atlanta wants to see what it has in Ridder, the No. 74 overall pick in last year's NFL Draft. He made four starts to close out his rookie season but wasn't all that impressive, completing 63.5 percent of his throws for 177 yards per game with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Heinicke could give Ridder a run at the top job in camp, but the former Commander has already demonstrated he isn't a 17-game starter in the NFL.

MARCH 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

AP source: QB Heinicke returning home to sign with Falcons

A person with a knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that quarterback Taylor Heinicke has agreed to terms on a two-year contract worth up to $20 million

MARCH 14, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Taylor Heinicke - Linking up with Atlanta Heinicke came to terms Tuesday with Atlanta on a two-year contract, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network report.

Impact Heinicke is expected to join a quarterback room currently led by second-year pro Desmond Ridder, putting Heinicke in a position to serve as a veteran understudy. An Atlanta native who will turn 30 years old Wednesday, Heinicke logged 24 regular-season starts with the Commanders over the past two seasons and threw for 32 touchdowns against 21 interceptions during that stretch.

MARCH 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Garoppolo heads long list of QBs on move in free agency

Jimmy Garoppolo is headed to Las Vegas for a new start with the Raiders

MARCH 14, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kaden Elliss - Joining Falcons on three-year deal Elliss agreed to a three-year contract with the Falcons on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Elliss is scheduled to make $21.5 million over the next three years, though the deal can't be finalized until Wednesday. The 27-year-old linebacker enjoyed a breakout season with the NFC South rival Saints in 2022, racking up 78 tackles and seven sacks. Elliss had just 23 tackles and one sack over three previous seasons.

MARCH 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

NFC South free-agency roundup: Falcons make big splash, Bucs keep key defender

In the NFC South, Atlanta owned the day Monday, committing $230 million in new contracts, and the Bucs surprised by re-signing a key defende...

MARCH 13, 2023

AP sources: Falcons to sign Jessie Bates, get Jonnu Smith

The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a four-year, $64 million contract with safety Jessie Bates, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press

MARCH 13, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jessie Bates III leaving Bengals for Falcons in free agency

Former Bengals safety Jessie Bates III has agreed to join the Falcons on a four-year deal worth roughly $16 million per season.

MARCH 13, 2023

Jessie Bates III - Headed to Atlanta Bates is in line to sign with the Falcons, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact The Bengals have lost both their starting safeties within the first few hours of the NFL's legal tampering period, seeing Bates depart for Atlanta shortly after Vonn Bell reached terms with the Panthers. The silver lining for Cincinnati is a big opportunity ahead for 2022 first-round pick Dax Hill, who played only 131 defensive snaps in 15 games as a rookie. Bates, meanwhile, immediately becomes one of the best players for an Atlanta defense that's been bad for the past half-decade. He has a good chance to rebound from last year's career-low 71 tackles, though big-play opportunities figure to be fewer and further between unless the Falcons improve considerably from 2022.

MARCH 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons sign OG Chris Lindstrom to record $105 million extension

The Atlanta Falcons sign G Chris Lindstrom to a record $105 million extension, making him the NFL's highest-paid guard.

MARCH 13, 2023

Bradley Pinion - Inks new contract The Falcons re-signed Pinion to a three-year, $8.65 million contract Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact Pinion's new deal includes $4.325 million in guaranteed money, and he's now slated to remain with Atlanta through the 2025 campaign. The 28-year-old averaged a career-best 45.9 yards per punt across 17 games played this past season.

MARCH 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

David Onyemata - Joins division rival The Falcons and Onyemata are expected to agree on a three-year, $35 million contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Onyemata's new deal with Atlanta includes $24.5 million in guaranteed money across a three-year span, per Schefter. The 30-year-old spent the previous seven campaigns with New Orleans and tallied 43 tackles and five sacks in 2022. He'll now compete for a starting spot on the Falcons' defensive line throughout the offseason and into training camp.

MARCH 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons sign guard Chris Lindstrom to 5-year extension

The Atlanta Falcons have signed Pro Bowler Chris Lindstrom to a five-year contract extension, reportedly making him the NFL’s highest-paid guard

MARCH 13, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Keith Smith - Signs new deal The Falcons re-signed Smith on Monday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.

Impact Smith is now slated to stay put in Atlanta for at least one more year following Monday's transaction. The 30-year-old fullback is heading into his 10th NFL season and saw 246 offensive snaps and 261 special-teams snaps this past campaign.

MARCH 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chris Lindstrom - Becomes highest-paid guard The Falcons signed Lindstrom to a five-year, $105 million contract extension Monday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Impact Lindstrom now becomes the highest-paid guard in the NFL following Monday's agreement. The 26-year-old earned his first Pro Bowl nod as well as Second-Team All-Pro honors this past campaign, and he's now slated to remain in Atlanta through the 2028 season.

MARCH 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jonnu Smith - Headed to Falcons The Patriots are slated to trade Smith to the Falcons in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact The move frees up cap space for the Patriots, while leaving Hunter Henry as the team's clear-cut top tight end ahead of free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Smith is in line to provide the Falcons with an experienced pass-catching option to work behind starting TE Kyle Pitts. This past season -- his second with New England -- Smith recorded 27 catches on 38 targets for 245 yards in 14 games.

MARCH 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

2023 NFL cuts tracker: Vikings release WR Adam Thielen

The NFL offseason is underway with a handful of signings and cuts taking place. Here are the players who have been released.

MARCH 9, 2023

Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley apologizes for gambling after NFL reinstatement

Calvin Ridley apologized for past actions and revealed struggles with injury and anxiety in a lengthy open letter published in The Players'...

MARCH 8, 2023

Which teams are reportedly uninterested in Lamar Jackson?

The Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson. Reports then circulated about a surprising number of teams being uninter...

MARCH 8, 2023

Falcons re-sign outside linebacker Carter to 2-year deal

Outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter, who was second on the team with four sacks in 2022, is remaining with the Atlanta Falcons on a two-year deal

MARCH 7, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lorenzo Carter - Re-ups on two-year deal Carter is re-signing with the Falcons on a two-year contract Tuesday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Carter logged a career-high 58 tackles while appearing in all 17 games with the Falcons last season, his debut year with the team. He also notched four sacks, an interception and two passes defended along with a pick-six and one fumble recovery. After he emerged as a key edge rusher for Atlanta's defense in 2022, it makes sense for the team to keep him in house.

MARCH 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

NFL reinstates Jaguars WR Ridley after gambling suspension

The NFL reinstated suspended receiver Calvin Ridley and cleared the way for him to join his new team in Jacksonville

MARCH 6, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS