The Atlanta Falcons' offseason has been underwhelming so far, to say the least. Not only has the Falcons fanbase been forced to watch general manager Terry Fontenot make deals that barely move the needle, but fans have also been forced to say goodbye to beloved players like long-time defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who signed with the Bears after being released by Atlanta.
Since Jarrett left Atlanta for Chicago, signing veteran pass rusher Ta'Quon Graham has been the Falcons' only defensive line-related addition. GM Fontenot finally added another defensive lineman on Friday, however, it's a name that will likely underwhelm the fanbase.
Falcons Sign DT Morgan Fox to 2-Year Contract in Free Agency
FOX Sports' Peter Schrager is reporting that the Falcons have signed veteran DT Morgan Fox to a two-year contract. According to Schrager, the deal could be worth over $8.5 million once incentives are factored in.
Morgan Fox is signing with the Atlanta Falcons, sources tell @RapSheet , @TomPelissero , and @MikeGarafolo (THE INSIDERS), and me.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 14, 2025
Deal is for 2 years and can get to over $8.5 m. Deal done by @aurasportsgroup agents @NessMugrabi + @davidcanter .
On paper, Fox doesn't seem like the worst signing, especially from an experience perspective. The 30-year-old run-stopper has appeared in 120 regular-season games since beginning his career as an undrafted free agent in 2016, splitting his time with the L.A. Rams, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Chargers.
Concerns emerged surrounding Fox's future when he tore his ACL during the 2018 offseason. Fortunately, he worked extremely hard to recover and hasn't missed a game since then, which is likely the type of availability any NFL coaching staff covets.
Having said that, that's about where the positives end for Fox.
Even though he's been around the league for nearly a decade, Fox has only started in 34 of his 120 appearances (28.3%). He also only reached 500 defensive snaps for the second time last year, whereas Jarrett — a true starting-caliber workhorse — played at least 744 in five of the last six seasons. A 200-snap uptick might be too much for the career backup to handle.
While they don't always tell the full story, Fox's 2024 Pro Football Focus grades also paint a bleak picture. His grade of 51.5 for overall defense was the second-worst effort of his career, while his marks for run defense (43.4), tackling (53.4), and pass rushing (58.1) all left much to be desired.
A change in scenery can help a player realize their true potential, but it remains to be seen if that'll be the case with Fox. While a fresh start might be what he needs, there's a chance that his struggles will continue, and the Falcons will look silly for even trying to replace Jarrett with him.