The Atlanta Falcons are staring down a financial puzzle that comes with the territory when you draft elite skill position talent in back-to-back-to-back years. When you spend top-10 picks on Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson, the upside is obvious-these are game-changers, the kind of players who can elevate an offense from average to electric. But now comes the hard part: paying them.
With all three approaching new contract windows-Pitts potentially hitting free agency this offseason, and London and Robinson eligible for extensions-Atlanta’s front office has some serious decision-making ahead. First-year general manager Ian Cunningham is stepping into a high-stakes situation, and how he handles it could define the early years of his tenure.
The Clock Is Ticking
The Falcons don’t have the luxury of time. Kyle Pitts is the most immediate concern.
After a strong bounce-back season in 2025, he’s regained the form that made him a top-five pick. Atlanta could use the franchise tag to keep him in-house, but that’s a short-term fix.
It delays the inevitable and could create more cap headaches down the line.
Meanwhile, Drake London and Bijan Robinson are both eligible for extensions, and both have strong cases. London’s 2025 season was hampered by injury, but his value hasn’t taken much of a hit. His size, route-running, and contested catch ability still make him a WR1-caliber talent when healthy.
Bijan, on the other hand, just broke the franchise record for scrimmage yards in a single season. He’s 24 years old and entering his prime, which makes now the perfect time for him to cash in.
But here's the challenge: running backs, no matter how talented, have a shorter shelf life than receivers. That complicates the calculus.
The Money Math
The NFL salary cap is rising-and will keep rising-but even with more room to maneuver, locking down three premier offensive weapons is no small task. According to projections, Robinson could command a three-year, $60 million extension with $25 million guaranteed.
London? Think four years, $120 million with $35 million guaranteed.
That’s a major investment in two players who haven’t even reached their full potential yet.
And we haven’t even mentioned Michael Penix Jr. The rookie quarterback will be extension-eligible after this season, and while it’s too early to project his future, the Falcons need to leave themselves flexibility in case he turns the corner. That means making smart, forward-thinking decisions now-before the price tags climb even higher.
Cunningham’s Balancing Act
This is where Ian Cunningham earns his stripes. The Falcons are expected to make some tough roster decisions to free up cap space, and that likely means parting ways with veterans or restructuring existing deals. But the goal is clear: keep the offensive core intact.
Cunningham, alongside new team president Matt Ryan, appears committed to keeping all three stars in Atlanta. That’s the right mindset.
These aren’t just good players-they’re foundational pieces. But the longer the front office waits, the more leverage shifts to the players, and the more expensive it gets.
There’s no easy answer here. Prioritizing one over the other-Bijan vs.
London, Pitts vs. the rest-isn’t really the point. The Falcons need to find a way to make the numbers work across the board.
That means being aggressive, creative, and maybe even a little uncomfortable.
But that’s what it takes to build a winner. The talent is already in the building. Now it’s up to the front office to keep it there.