In the whirlwind of an offseason for the Atlanta Falcons, the spotlight is firmly on a potential long-term extension for Drake London. General Manager Ian Cunningham has emphasized the importance of retaining top talent, so the delay in locking down London raises eyebrows.
The clock is ticking, and the longer Cunningham waits, the greater the risk of London testing free agency next year. While negotiations have been sluggish, this isn't shaping up to be another George Pickens scenario. It's clear Atlanta needs to secure their star WR1.
During recent league meetings, Cunningham assured the media that an extension for London is a priority for the Falcons. Letting him walk would leave Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheus as the main targets for quarterbacks like Michael Penix Jr. or Tua Tagovailoa, which isn’t an ideal situation for the team.
The Falcons are expected to finalize a new contract with Drake London in the coming months.
Cunningham also mentioned that the team is currently focused on free agency and the draft, suggesting that contract talks might ramp up closer to training camp. This mirrors how Garrett Wilson secured his long-term deal with the Jets last offseason.
Interestingly, Cunningham specifically mentioned London and Bijan Robinson, but not Kyle Pitts, when discussing long-term plans. This indicates London's prominent position in the team's priorities and suggests his payday is on the horizon, even if it takes time.
Since being drafted in 2022, London has been a solid receiver for Atlanta, though he hasn't quite reached the elite level of players like Ja'Marr Chase. With the receiver market shifting dramatically, it may take over $30 million annually to retain him.
London's value is underscored by the Falcons' struggles without him in 2025. He was Penix's go-to target and the only consistently reliable receiver, highlighting why wideout has been a focus for Cunningham this offseason. London’s contributions make a strong case for the contract he seeks.
Reports indicate London is eyeing a deal akin to those of Garrett Wilson or DK Metcalf. With the rising salary cap, such an investment seems wise. Considering Jaxon-Smith Njigba's contract exceeding $40 million in average annual value, London's deal could soon appear to be a bargain.
Securing London before the next offseason is crucial to prevent him from entering free agency, and it seems Cunningham is poised to make it happen.