The Atlanta Falcons are heading into a 2026 season where there are a number of notable players whose futures are on the line. This isn't to say that their status in the league will or won't change, but rather looking at the contract implications for three players who have put themselves in positions to earn a payday with a consistent performance.
For Atlanta, paying these players isn't going to be a problem if it is earned, with Spotrac projecting the Falcons to have the league's third-highest open cap total at $122 million. Much of this is due to the loss of paying Kirk Cousins and benefitting from rookie contracts in recent seasons. Leading us to look at a trio of players that fit this description and are now playing for their financial futures in the 2026 season.
1. Drake London
London is set to hit free agency at the end of the 2026 season, with Atlanta's only obvious avenue being an extension ahead of the season or a franchise tag in the 2027 offseason. It is a dangerous gamble as the receiver market continues to shoot up, and a great season from the pass catcher could have the Falcons looking at a top-ten deal at the position.
The only question here remains what London's real ceiling is with the receiver yet to play with an established and consistent quarterback. The receiver's best season was in 2024, with Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. finishing with 1,271 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. This is the only 1,000-yard receiving season in a four-year career, leaving an extension as a bit of a risk, while it is a clear gamble as well to let London head into the season without a new deal. To put it simply, there isn't a clear winning decision for Atlanta.
2. Kyle Pitts
Pitts burst onto the scene during his rookie season, becoming a primary target in Matt Ryan's final year with the team and surpassing 1,000 receiving yards. Each of the next three years that followed, the frustration mounted until playing on the fifth-year rookie option, Pitts exploded once again, offering 928 receiving yards and five touchdowns in what was a clear statement heading into free agency.
Atlanta responded with a franchise tag and appears poised to let the tight end play out the season on the tag. Tagging the pass catcher again isn't a viable option, making it clear that a great season from the tight end is going to result in a difficult decision that will end in a payday either with the Falcons or elsewhere.
3. Matthew Bergeron
Atlanta's left guard has garnered little attention due to the stardom of the players around him. Left tackle Jake Matthews remains a stalwart, while right guard Chris Lindstrom has an argument as the best at his position. None of this takes away from the fact that Bergeron has very quietly had an incredible start to his career and offers a high level of consistency on the inside.
This will come due at the end of the 2026 season if the current level of play continues, with the lineman scheduled to become a free agent. Bergeron could find himself as the prized offseason target for a new franchise or forcing Atlanta to pay for what has been underrated production.
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