Failed Falcons Defender Signs With AFC Laughingstock in Free Agency

Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris reacts on the sidelines against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris reacts on the sidelines against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Atlanta Falcons offseason has been carried by news around Kirk Cousins. They have decided to keep him around as the highest-paid backup quarterback but there have been rumors emerging that the Minnesota Vikings or Cleveland Browns could become landing spots.

Outside of that, the Falcons have made some low-cost signings, but they have also seen multiple guys leave town. On Thursday, EDGE Lorenzo Carter agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Lorenzo Carter Lands With the Tennessee Titans

Carter was selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Giants before spending the last three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.

The Falcons were hoping that Carter would develop into a stout pass rusher but that never materialized. From 2022-2024 (47 games), the Georgia product has compiled 125 total tackles, 14 TFLs, 23 QB hits, and seven sacks.

Despite playing in 13-plus games in all three seasons in Atlanta, Carter never had more than four sacks in a season. In 2024, Carter had his worst season with the Falcons. He finished with a 43 overall grade (194th among 211 edge defenders), a 47.3 pass-rush grade (203rd among 211 edge defenders), and a 53.6 run-defense grade (160th among 211 edge defenders) per PFF.

Carter posted zero sacks, seven total pressures, and four QB hurries. For a team that was 31st in the league in team sacks (31), that wasn't good enough.

The Falcons will look elsewhere to find more production on the defensive line.

As for Carter, he will be joining the Titans, who had the worst record in the league this past season. Tennessee also struggled to generate pressure in 2024, ranking 30th in the NFL in team sacks (32).

Whether or not he'll be productive with the Titans remains to be seen but that isn't Atlanta's problem anymore.

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