Falcons Cut Defender They Just Recently Signed to Start June

The Atlanta Falcons just cut a defender they signed to a futures deal in January with a surprise decision that looks bad for general manager Terry Fontenot.
Dec 16, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris leaves the field after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Dec 16, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris leaves the field after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

While the Atlanta Falcons are well underway at OTAs, fans are understandably focused on the rookies and new acquisitions that've been made over the last five months.

There's been plenty of drama, and now one recent Falcons signing has been let loose during a critical moment. This is a time during which many transactions are going to happen and fans should pay attention, yet it's easy to let news slip by.

In a relatively unexpected move, Atlanta has officially moved on from safety Benny Sapp to start June.

Falcons Release S Benny Sapp to Kick Off June

It's not a stunning move considering Sapp has been more of a practice squad player than anything, though he's only 24 years old with a lot of promise ahead of him.

The larger conversation should center around how this was a poor evaluation from Atlanta's front office. They just signed Sapp in December and have already parted ways. Based on how poorly the entire franchise handled Kirk Cousins and the quarterback position, what have they shown to be trusted with even the most minor of transactions?

General manager Terry Fontenot is in over his head, and now has to admit that one of his most recent signings was a mess. Sapp deserves better, as do Falcons fans.

Sapp appeared in five games for the Green Bay Packers in 2023 but otherwise has been on the sidelines. He notched just two tackles in special teams action, though Fontenot's mistakes are what should be measured. He just signed Sapp to the practice squad in December and gave him a futures deal in January, and is already cutting him, indicating that not even his current decisions could lead Atlanta to success.

No matter what happens, this is an admission of a big mistake from the front office. These issues keep popping up, and there's no question whose foot the blame lies at.

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