Arnold Ebiketie’s Late Surge Gives Falcons a Tough Free Agency Decision
Arnold Ebiketie is finally starting to look like the player the Falcons hoped he’d become when they drafted him-and now, just as he’s finding his stride, Atlanta faces a decision that’s far from simple.
At 25, Ebiketie is set to hit free agency this offseason. And while his overall sack numbers might not jump off the page, his impact on the field lately has been anything but quiet.
He’s become a disruptive force off the edge, flashing the kind of pass-rush ability that teams pay serious money for. The timing couldn’t be more critical-for both Ebiketie and the Falcons.
In Week 14 against Seattle, with first-round rookie Jalon Walker exiting early due to injury, Ebiketie saw increased snaps and didn’t waste the opportunity. He logged three pressures on just 11 pass-rushing snaps-an efficient, high-impact outing that stood out even in a lopsided 37-9 loss.
According to Pro Football Focus, he posted a 76.6 overall grade and a 74.8 pass-rush grade, leading the team in both categories that week. Among all edge rushers league-wide, his pass-rush grade ranked ninth.
That’s the kind of performance that forces front offices to reevaluate their plans.
Earlier this season, it looked like Ebiketie might be on the way out. He wasn’t starting, had fallen behind rookies like Walker and James Pearce Jr., and was even floated as a possible trade candidate.
But his recent surge has changed the conversation. He’s not just filling in-he’s producing.
And that production is going to cost someone.
Spotrac projects Ebiketie’s market value at roughly $9.5 million per year on a three-year deal. That’s a significant investment for a player with just 12 career starts over four seasons. But it also reflects the premium placed on pass rushers who can win off the edge, especially in a league that lives and dies by quarterback pressure.
The Falcons now find themselves at a crossroads. With both Ebiketie and linebacker Kaden Elliss approaching free agency, Atlanta’s front office-led by GM Terry Fontenot-will have to prioritize.
Elliss has been a key piece in the defense this year, and the team may lean toward keeping him. But letting Ebiketie walk after finally seeing him unlock his potential would be a tough pill to swallow.
This is where things get tricky. Walker and Pearce have shown promise and could be long-term starters, which might make Ebiketie seem expendable on paper.
But depth at pass rusher is never a luxury-it's a necessity. And in a league where injuries and matchups can swing a season, having a rotational rusher like Ebiketie who can produce in limited snaps is a valuable asset.
There’s also the question of timing. Ebiketie’s breakout didn’t come right away, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less real.
Sometimes, development isn’t linear. It takes the right opportunity, the right role, and the right moment.
In Atlanta, that moment might have finally arrived-just as he’s about to test the open market.
So now, Fontenot and the Falcons have to decide: Is Ebiketie’s late-season surge enough to warrant a new deal? Or is it too little, too late in a room that’s already getting crowded with young, ascending talent?
What’s clear is this-Ebiketie has made himself hard to ignore. Whether that leads to a new contract in Atlanta or a fresh start somewhere else, he's earned a seat at the negotiating table. And for a player who’s spent much of his career waiting for his shot, that’s a win in itself.