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Falcons' Offseason Needs Already Being Blown Out of Proportion

By Richard Louis

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
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The Atlanta Falcons offseason planning is set to hit into high gear with Super Bowl 59 officially in the rear view mirror.

The Falcons finished 8-9 in the 2024 season, but need to make some moves over the next couple of months to improve the roster.

Speculations and opinions regarding Atlanta's roster have started rolling out. Around the NFL's Matt Okada released an article discussing six teams that have the most work cut out for them. He put the Falcons on the list but things aren't as gloomy as he made them appear.

Falcons News: Falcons Offseason Tasks Aren’t as Bad as They Look

One of the things that Okada calls out is the Falcons' bleak cap situation. They are currently $11 million over the cap and a big reason for that is the Kirk Cousins contract. It looks like both sides are ready to move, as there's been no communication between the two since the season ended. Atlanta would have a $65 million dead cap hit if they move on from him but it would be better for the long haul.

They could create some cap space with other roster cuts and contract restructures.

The Falcons have Justin Simmons, Mike Hughes, and Matthew Judon slated to hit free agency but Okada labeled them as stars, which is far from the case.

In 16 games for the Falcons, Simmons had a 59.9 overall grade (113th among 170 eligible safeties) and a 60.8 coverage grade (86th among 170 eligible safeties). They traded for Judon last August but he was a big-time letdown. Judon finished with a 43 overall grade (194th among 211 eligible edge defenders), a 53.9 pass-rush grade (161st among 211 eligible edge defenders), and a 53.6 run defense grade (160th among 211 eligible edge defenders), per PFF.

Hughes was a solid contributor, logging 66 total tackles and six pass deflections. Regardless, he didn't have an All-Pro or Pro Bowl type season.

Okada also wrote that tight end Kyle Pitts could be up for an extension this offseason and even if he did, it wouldn't require a massive extension. The Florida product started his career with a 1,000-yard campaign but has failed to record more than 667 receiving yards in any season since.

The five highest-paid tight ends in the league (George Kittle, Travis Kelce, T.J. Hockenson, Dallas Goedert, and Mark Andrews) make at least $14 million annually and Pitts isn't in the same conversation as these guys.

The Falcons will likely let him ride it out on his fifth-year option so an extension won't be a serious conversation. Even if they go down that road, it won't be a huge deal.

Atlanta's roster does need some work but it's not anything that can't be handled with the right moves. The Falcons have a nice nucleus of young talent and this offseason is about rounding out the edges.

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