The Atlanta Falcons are facing the kind of problem every NFL front office dreams of-and dreads. When you hit on multiple top-10 picks on offense, the talent adds up fast. So do the contract negotiations.
It started with Kyle Pitts back in 2021. The Falcons made him the highest-drafted tight end in league history, and now, just like that, he's wrapping up his rookie deal and heading into a contract year. He’s the first domino in what could be a string of major financial decisions in Atlanta, and the pressure is mounting.
Team president of football operations Matt Ryan-yes, that Matt Ryan-and general manager Ian Cunningham are the ones tasked with navigating this high-stakes puzzle. And Ryan isn’t hiding from the moment. Speaking recently about the importance of proactive roster management, Ryan made it clear where he stands:
“I’m a massive believer if you got good players in your building you need to sign them as early as possible.”
That’s a message that should resonate with players like Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson-three cornerstone pieces of the Falcons’ offense, all of whom are due for big paydays sooner rather than later.
Let’s start with Pitts. After a rocky couple of seasons, he bounced back in a big way this year.
But the Falcons still have a decision to make. Do they commit long-term now, or use the franchise tag to buy another year of evaluation?
Tagging him seems like the logical move. He’s flashed elite talent, but consistency has been an issue.
One more season under a new, tight end-friendly head coach could give the team the clarity it needs.
Then there’s London. He’s coming off a down year, mostly due to injuries, but make no mistake-he’s vital to this offense.
As the team’s WR1, and really their only true outside threat, London brings a physical edge in the passing game and in the run game. He’s a strong, willing blocker in a scheme that leans heavily on the ground attack.
And with Michael Penix Jr. slinging it downfield, London’s size and catch radius are a perfect match.
Bijan Robinson? That’s a no-brainer.
He’s the engine of this offense and one of the most dynamic young backs in the league. The Falcons will pay him.
It’s just a matter of when.
But here’s the catch: paying all three of these guys won’t be easy. We’ve seen what happens when teams load up on offensive contracts without balancing the rest of the roster. The Bengals, for example, are paying Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins-great players, no doubt-but it’s come at a cost, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
The Falcons are trying to avoid that trap. Luckily, they’ve hit on some recent draft picks on defense, and that’s giving them some breathing room.
Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr., Brandon Dorlus, and Xavier Watts are all young, talented, and still on rookie deals. That’s huge.
It gives Atlanta the flexibility to invest in their offensive stars without completely gutting the other side of the ball.
Still, the clock is ticking. Pitts is first up, and how the Falcons handle his situation could set the tone for everything that follows.
Locking in your core is never easy, especially when that core includes multiple top-of-market talents. But if Atlanta wants to keep this offensive nucleus together-and keep building toward contention-they’ll need to find a way to make the numbers work.
The good news? They’ve got the pieces.
Now it’s about execution. Just like on Sundays.