Atlanta Falcons Release Defensive End Brooks Reed

The Atlanta Falcons have continued to cut cap, moving on from defensive end Brooks Reed. Reed was a well-liked player, but an obvious cut with an overpaid contract.

Brooks Reed’s tenure with the Atlanta Falcons was an up-and-down one that bottomed out this past season. Reed has now been cut with the Falcons deciding to move on. It was a wise decision for Atlanta considering how badly the defensive line was in 2018.

Reed managed only a single sack in the 2018 season and struggled to produce. Reed is aging and is part of a unit the Falcons may continue to trim.

Brooks Reed did have a good run with Atlanta and won a game for them single handly two years ago.  With the game on the line in Chicago and receivers open in the end zone Reed pulled down the Bear’s quarterback for a game-winning sack.

Since that play, however,  Reed’s career has headed in the wrong direction. Cutting him is the right move for a team who has a lot of work to get done along the defensive line.

The Falcons need at least two defensive ends and a defensive tackle.  Signing an elite pass rusher is a must for an anemic pass rush in Atlanta. There are likely more cuts to come to help open up the ability to sign pass rushers.

Reed will likely have no problem finding another job as a situational pass rusher. If he were to be signed by Atlanta on a bargain deal late in the off-season it wouldn’t be a shock.

Reeds days in Atlanta are likely over, however, and Atlanta is better off cutting him now.  It will continue to send a message to the rest of the Falcons’ roster, produce or the team will move on.  More to come as the Atlanta off-season continues.