The first edition of the Atlanta Falcons' 2025 roster is locked into place. There are still some lingering concerns, though, such as the depth at tackle and whether or not the Falcons' pass rush will finally come to life. Regardless, there is no questioning the team's offensive talent or the excitement generated around the organization heading into the season.
Still, there are a handful of notable Falcons who appear to be entering their final season with the franchise. Whether due to poor production or expiring contracts, four names stand out, starting with the obvious in what is arguably the biggest free agency bust in recent franchise history
1. Kirk Cousins, QB
No starter in the league played worse than Kirk Cousins at the end of the 2024 season. The veteran quarterback's contract made it impossible to turn the page, forcing Atlanta to leave Cousins in the lineup long after he had sent the season into flames. Still, the veteran was brought back with the understanding that it is better to pay for his services as a backup than pay a higher dead cap hit to play elsewhere.
However, this changes in the 2026 offseason with Atlanta safely able to turn the page. While it is still a hefty $35 million dead cap hit next season, it is not as damaging as a 2025 cut or trade would've brought the franchise. What will have changed is the organization having a clear answer on exactly who Michael Penix Jr. will be moving forward.
If the young signal-caller becomes the star that he is expected to be, there is no reason to continue to keep Cousins as insurance. Not only that, but a divorce would allow Cousins one last chance to attempt to secure a starting job in the twilight of his career.
2. Kyle Pitts, TE
It is hard to remember a player in recent memory who has been as frustrating as Kyle Pitts on the football field. Atlanta's history is littered with failed draft picks or players who made poor off-the-field decisions. What makes Pitts so frustrating is that the pass-catcher doesn't fall under either of these labels. As we enter his fifth year in the league, the best season of his career remains the rookie year that saw QB Matt Ryan running for his life, often tossing up prayers to the rookie tight-end.
Pitts paid off Ryan's trust and put together a 1,000-yard season he hasn't come close to replicating since. Each year, fantasy football experts and Falcons fans have attempted to talk themselves into believing this is finally the year that things fall into place. Three years of failures have left a high level of frustration.
Even if Penix does unlock the TE's potential, it is hard to see a path to his return. Barring becoming a security blanket for Pitts, there isn't much the former first-rounder can do to wipe away three years of struggles and earn a payday. Still, there is an ember of hope that perhaps this will actually be the year the talent translates to production.
3. Dee Alford, CB/PR
Atlanta's decision to bring back Dee Alford in the first place was head-scratching.
Alford's awful finish to the 2024 season was lost with Cousins, Raheem Morris, and Younghoe Koo all overachieving at finding ways to end playoff hopes. Still, Alford's contributions to this effort shouldn't be easily forgotten. Whether it was being completely demolished by Justin Jefferson in Minnesota or giving up a game-winning touchdown to Zach Ertz against Washington, there was no shortage of potential lowlights.
Now, Alford has lost his job to rookie Billy Bowman and will start the season in a reserve role. If things go as expected with Bowman, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Falcons pivot in another direction at the end of the season. The struggles are simply too consistent to believe Alford can be a meaningful contributor moving forward.
The corner's roster spot is going to be better spent on a younger piece who has an unknown ceiling. Atlanta now understands that Alford's absolute best isn't going to be good enough to help the defense reach the heights it is currently aiming for. As the defensive rebuild continues, it is past time to turn the page on the defender and look for another answer.
4. Tyler Allgeier, RB
Of this list, Tyler Allgeier is by far the most painful name to point out when it comes to players who are on borrowed time.
The fit with Bijan Robinson is incredible, and the hard-nosed runner continues to find ways to contribute to a secondary role. The issue is simply looking at Atlanta's cap space and realizing it is impossible to pay both Allgeier and Robinson's market value. If the Falcons are going to keep the star contributors together, you're going to have to turn the page on the powerful Allgeier.
Losing his effort and energy is going to be a blow, but one there simply isn't a way around. In the back's rookie season, he surpassed 1,000 yards in the middle of complete chaos. There was no clear threat at receiver, and the quarterback situation was a mess. Still, the Falcons couldn't pass up on the talent of Robinson.
This same issue is going to be what ends his time in Atlanta with the rusher's contract expiring at the end of the 2025 season. As difficult as it will be for the Falcons and their fans, it simply comes down to limited cap space that is going to be better spent elsewhere.