With the NFL free agency period starting March 9th, the Atlanta Falcons face significant roster changes as over half the team enters free agency. Under new leadership from head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Ian Cunningham, the Falcons are focusing on acquiring a veteran quarterback, strengthening a weak wide receiver group, and adding depth to both linebacker and defensive back positions ahead of the NFL Draft in late April. The team’s salary cap maneuvering will be critical in shaping their offseason strategy.
Atlanta has already made a key move by applying the franchise tag to tight end Kyle Pitts, securing him with a one-year, fully-guaranteed contract worth $15.1 million and removing him from free agency considerations. However, a significant salary cap hit is expected as the Falcons plan to release quarterback Kirk Cousins before March 13th, a decision that will incur $35 million in dead money spread over two seasons. This release comes despite Cousins being paid $90 million over two years, which was criticized as one of the worst free agent contracts by BetGM.
Key Roster Moves and Salary Cap Implications
Aside from Cousins, the Falcons will not be bringing back special teams standout KhaDarel Hodge, whose $3.3 million salary placed him in the team’s top 20 earners and made him a fan favorite. Currently, the Falcons have $8.9 million in salary cap space, ranking 17th among NFL teams, but cutting Cousins will free a portion of salary cap room despite his dead money charge. Team management faces the challenge of balancing this cap space while targeting improvements in critical areas.
Latest Developments and Free Agency Speculation
Recent reports indicate that Atlanta is actively pursuing experienced quarterbacks following reports of the Arizona Cardinals potentially parting ways with Kyler Murray. ESPN analyst Jeremy Fowler shared insights from an NFL coach who advised to
“watch for Tua (Tagovailoa) in Atlanta”
, highlighting the Falcons’ search for a reliable signal-caller. Meanwhile, linebacker Kaden Elliss is expected to move from Atlanta to the Carolina Panthers, and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers from the Denver Broncos is frequently mentioned as a target, although his $20 million price tag could pose a challenge.
Players Facing Free Agency or Release in 2026
The Falcons’ list of pending free agents and potential releases includes notable names across multiple positions:
- Dee Alford – Pending free agency
- Tyler Allgeier – Pending free agency
- Troy Andersen – Pending free agency
- Natrone Brooks – Pending free agency
- Kirk Cousins – Expected to be released by March 11
- Arnold Ebiketie – Edge position, pending free agency
- Kaden Elliss – Linebacker, expected departure
- Leonard Floyd – Edge, pending free agency
- Feleipe Franks – Pending free agency
- Elijah Garcia – Pending free agency
- Zane Gonzalez – Pending free agency
- Jovaughn Gwyn – Pending free agency
- Ronnie Harrison – Pending free agency
- Malik Heath – Pending free agency
- Khalid Kareem – Edge, pending free agency
- KhaDarel Hodge – Pending release
- LaCale London – Pending free agency
- DeAngelo Malone – Edge, pending free agency
- David Onyemata – Pending free agency
- Bradley Pinion – Pending free agency
- Kyle Pitts – Secured with franchise tag
- Teagan Quitoriano – Pending free agency
- Sam Roberts – Pending free agency
- David Sills – Pending free agency
- Easton Stick – Pending free agency
- Kentavius Street – Pending free agency
- Tyrone Wheatley Jr. – Pending free agency
- Elijah Wilkinson – Pending free agency
- Josh Woods – Pending free agency
Implications for the Falcons’ Roster and Future Prospects
The upcoming free agency period will be a pivotal time for the Atlanta Falcons as they overhaul their roster with an emphasis on acquiring a veteran quarterback and reinforcing multiple positions. The decisions made this March, combined with draft selections in April, will significantly influence the team’s competitiveness in the upcoming season. Falcons fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see how management navigates salary cap constraints while rebuilding a squad eager to improve in all facets of the game.
Kirk Cousins agent belongs in the Hall of Fame pic.twitter.com/gmCNlyvcLi
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) March 1, 2026
