Low risk, high reward. That’s the phrase defining the Atlanta Falcons’ offseason so far. With limited cap space heading into the offseason, GM Ian Cunningham and President of football Matt Ryan knew that they needed to ball on a budget, and that’s exactly what they’ve done.
The major offseason move was bringing in former Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa on a one-year $1.3 million dollar deal. Getting a guy like Tua for that price tag is the definition of low-risk. Love him or hate him as a quarterback, look around the current QB landscape and you won’t find a whole lot of passers who have his skillset and ability for that cheap. Add in the fact that he’s a lefty like Michael Penix Jr. and now you have a cohesive offense that doesn’t have to shift their identity based on who’s under center.
The room that needed the biggest upgrade in 2026 was the wide receiver room, and the new regime took notice of that early – signing Jahan Dotson to a two-year $15 million contract, along with former Falcon Olamide Zaccheus. If you consider Kyle Pitts as more of a receiver, having Dotson and Zaccheus slot into essentially the WR3 and WR4 spots is a pretty big upgrade over last season’s receiver room. Throw in Austin Hooper as additional tight end depth with surefire hands, and the Falcons have to feel good about where the offense is headed.
On the other side of the ball, the Falcons are bringing in pass rushers Azeez Ojulari and Samson Ebukam. Both signings are once again low risk deals for guys that have flashed potential but dealt with injuries in the past. With the future of James Pearce Jr. in doubt paired with the loss of Arnold Ebiketie, Ojulari and Ebukam provide solid depth in a competitive pass rushing rotation.
At linebacker the big loss is Kaden Elliss going to the Saints on a three-year $33 million deal. This was a somewhat expected casualty to the cap, but the Falcons didn’t drag their feet bringing in more linebacker depth. Former Texan Christian Harris has had injury issues the past couple of seasons, but was an impact player in 2023 for Houston with over 100 tackles, a couple sacks, and a forced fumble. Atlanta also signed former Georgia Bulldog Channing Tindall, who hasn’t made a huge name for himself in the NFL, but is another low risk swing at a young guy familiar with the area.
In the Interior defensive line, D’Shawn Hand is a nice get as a run stopper on another cheap one year deal. Atlanta re-signed one of their top interior guys in LaCale London as well, signaling their dedication to improving that area of the roster as Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus continue developing.
Atlanta’s revamping the special teams unit as well, bringing in kicker Nick Folk and punter Jake Bailey. Folk is an accurate, albeit old, kicker who definitely will give the Falcons a better chance to win. Bailey is a little more confusing considering Pinion had the most punts inside the opponents’ 20 in the league.
