The Atlanta Falcons haven't hesitated to keep a focus on their future despite not having a winning season dating all the way back to 2017. Perhaps giving the franchise a new sense of urgency to lock up current talent, both Drake London and Kyle Pitts have signed massive contract extensions in the 2026 offseason. This opens the door to look at Atlanta players who could earn an extension as well, either in the coming weeks or before the 2027 season.
With this in mind, let's look at the three Atlanta players who stand out as obvious options to earn an extension or at least a conversation. Starting with the most obvious in a playmaker that the Falcons simply cannot afford to let walk away.
1. Bijan Robinson
Despite both players entering the league before Robinson, it is still a bit of a surprise that London and Pitts were first in line for extensions. To put it simply there isn't a player in the league last season that could've been dropped into Atlanta's offense and put up more production than what Bijan offered in the 2025 season.
Signing the back to a long-term deal has to be at the top of the team's priority list with no individual player offer the franchise more than Robinson. So many times 2-3 yard runs were plays that should've been blown up or saw the back dropped for a loss. This to say that the stats themselves might be impressive, but Atlanta fans watching every week understand that what Robinson produced doesn't show up in the box score based on the elite ability to find space where there wasn't any to be seen.
2. Matthew Bergeron
Atlanta has quietly put together one of the league's best offensive lines and Bergeron is a big piece of this. The left guard quietly goes about his business playing at a high level and providing an underrated level of stability. Bergeron played 912 snaps in the 2025 season and allowed a single sack. This is despite playing with two quarterbacks not known for their ability to move in the pocket in Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr.
It makes sense to attempt to re-sign the guard ahead of the 2026 season with an extension likely being reasonable. While the guard plays at a high level it isn't enough to establish him as a top-five option at the position giving the Falcons a bit of leverage in a potential team-friendly deal that keeps Bergeron beyond the 2026 season.
3. Jessie Bates
No matter the situation Bates is going to attack the football and be a willing tackler that has helped stabilize the back of Atlanta's defense. While it has been an inconsistent performance from the unit during the defender's years with the team, his impact remains obvious. There is no underrating what Bates brings to the roster or the lofty expectations that are facing the safety moving into the 2026 season.
It is the final year of the defensive back's deal leading to an obvious question as to how the Falcons want to play it. Allowing Bates to enter the year without an extension seeing if the 29 year old shows any signs of regression or to re-sign the defender betting that there are 3-4 great seasons left in the tank. This is a question that could easily be argued in either direction.
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