The Atlanta Falcons are quietly undergoing a significant shift in the trenches-and it starts with a new voice in the offensive line room. Bill Callahan, one of the most respected offensive line coaches in the NFL, is taking over for Dwayne Ledford, and that change signals a more physical identity up front.
Callahan arrives in Atlanta with a reputation for molding tough, technically sound units, and his presence alone suggests the Falcons are ready to get nastier at the line of scrimmage. Head coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t waste time making the move-opting to part ways with Ledford in favor of Callahan, who brings decades of experience and a proven track record of building dominant run games.
Meanwhile, Ledford didn’t stay unemployed for long. He’s now the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, who are also going through a transition under new head coach Jesse Minter. And that connection between Ledford and his former players could have some ripple effects in free agency.
One name to watch: Elijah Wilkinson.
The 30-year-old tackle is set to hit the open market, and a reunion with Ledford in Baltimore wouldn’t be surprising. Wilkinson stepped into a starting role for the Falcons in 2025 largely due to injuries to both Kaleb McGary and Storm Norton during training camp. With McGary expected to reclaim his starting spot in 2026, Wilkinson’s path to playing time in Atlanta is likely blocked unless he’s willing to take on a backup role.
Statistically, Wilkinson was serviceable but far from elite. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned a 62.9 overall grade-ranking 57th out of 89 qualified tackles.
His 68.3 run-blocking grade was slightly better, placing him 37th. That puts him in the “average” tier, which, considering his journeyman status before joining Atlanta, is a testament to the work Ledford did with him.
Still, there were clear areas of concern. Wilkinson tied for the fourth-most penalties among all offensive linemen with 11 on the season.
He also allowed the sixth-most pressures among tackles in 2025-a stat that underscores his struggles in pass protection. For a team looking to solidify its offensive line, those numbers are hard to ignore.
From a roster-building standpoint, Wilkinson probably isn’t a priority for Atlanta this offseason. The Falcons have bigger fish to fry, with key contributors like linebacker Kaden Elliss, tight end Kyle Pitts, and defensive lineman David Onyemata all needing new deals. That likely leaves Wilkinson on the outside looking in.
If he does follow Ledford to Baltimore, it would make sense. The Ravens already have a strong tackle duo in Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten, but depth is always valuable-especially with a coach who knows how to get the best out of his players. Wilkinson wouldn’t be expected to start, but he could be a low-cost insurance policy for a team that’s always in the playoff mix.
For the Falcons, this is part of a broader shift. The offensive line is getting a philosophical makeover under Callahan, and that could mean moving on from players who don’t quite fit the new mold. Wilkinson gave Atlanta some solid snaps in a tough spot, but with the team prioritizing core pieces elsewhere, his time in Atlanta may be coming to a quiet end.