ClutchPoints
For a franchise seeking to turn the corner after years of mediocrity, the Atlanta Falcons entered the 2025 NFL offseason with cautious optimism. Last year’s major headline was signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal. It should have provided the franchise with the stability under center it had lacked since Matt Ryan’s departure. However, while Cousins’ presence stabilizes the offense, it also handcuffs the team’s flexibility. So when the 2025 offseason rolled around, the Falcons had little room to maneuver financially. They also had a glaring need to rebuild a defense that had fallen behind in talent and production.
With limited cap space and an urgent need to compete in a wide-open NFC South, Atlanta’s brass made some tough choices. That said, the riskiest decision of all was trusting a green, unproven defensive front to deliver playoff-level production in Year 1. In a win-now window driven by Cousins’ age and contract, the Falcons’ gamble on youth may prove costly.
The Falcons didn’t have much room to add to their roster through free agency. This is especially true given Cousins’ contract. As such, it was no surprise to see Atlanta let center Drew Dalman walk on a lucrative three-year deal. Meanwhile, franchise stalwart and fan favorite Grady Jarrett was released to save cap room.
Dalman’s departure leaves a hole in the middle of the offensive line. Now, the Falcons will rely on Ryan Neuzil—who started eight games in Dalman’s absence last season. Neuzil’s play was serviceable, but he isn’t a lock to maintain that level over a full season.
Jarrett’s exit, meanwhile, ends a decade-long run of leadership and consistency on the defensive interior. He had been the heart and soul of the Falcons’ front seven. His release—while understandable from a financial perspective—has left a gaping hole. That will be hard to fill with leadership, talent, or locker-room presence.
Outside of those moves, the Falcons did make a swap at edge rusher. They replaced Matthew Judon with Leonard Floyd. However, the move didn’t significantly elevate the pass rush on paper. Judon, even after a dip in form, brought veteran savvy. Floyd brings explosiveness, of course. Still, he’ll need to gel quickly with a front that’s being rebuilt on the fly.
Here we’ll try to look at the riskiest move that the the Atlanta Falcons executed in the 2025 NFL offseason.
The Falcons made a bold pivot during the 2025 NFL Draft. They went really heavy on defense and aggressively traded up to secure top-tier prospects. In Round 1, they landed both Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. They will form a dynamic linebacker-pass rusher tandem with sky-high potential. The cost? Their 2026 first-round pick. The goal? Immediate impact.
On paper, it was a move filled with promise. Atlanta finished last season with a paltry 59.0 PFF pass-rush grade, one of the league’s worst. They had no choice but to swing big. And swing they did....
