The Atlanta Falcons training camp will be a crucial time for Ryan Neuzil, as he looks to show the Falcons, he is ready to be the starting center. By signing Ryan Neuzil to a two-year contract in the offseason, valued at $9.5 million, the Falcons are looking for the veteran offensive lineman to fill the role of starting center in the upcoming season.
Neuzil, who started eight games in 2024 for the Falcons, now finds himself looking at the most crucial preseason of his career.
Ryan Neuzil Has Huge Shoes to Fill for the Falcons in 2025
The Falcons are looking for Neuzil to replace Drew Dalman, who has started 40 games at center since 2021. Dalman signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Chicago Bears early in the NFL free agency window, leading many to believe the Falcons would look to the draft to find a replacement.
Despite this move leaving a gaping hole in the offensive line, the Falcons opted to trust Neuzil as the permanent replacement, clearly seeing something they liked during his twelve starts over the last two seasons.
This act of faith in the soon-to-be 28-year-old veteran will prove to be a pivotal move for the Appalachian State alum. Following his signing as an undrafted free agent in 2021, Neuzil spent all of 2021 and the beginning of 2022 on the practice squad, finally making his main roster debut in Week 9 of that season. Neuzil spent the last two seasons serving in a backup role on the offensive line.
While training camp is a crucial time for all NFL players, no matter what their position is on the roster, Neuzil finds himself in an especially critical moment as he is also looking to build chemistry between himself and his young QB. While Neuzil started eight games last season, adding to the four from the 2023 campaign, the recently departed Dalman was the snapper for Michael Penix Jr.’s three starts to end the season.
Neuzil, who primarily played left guard in college, will be looking to get steady reps to gain the type of chemistry needed between a quarterback and center, especially as both he and Penix are entering camp as starters for the first time in their careers.