The Falcons' Risky Business in the 2026 Offseason
Terry Fontenot has been busy. The Atlanta Falcons general manager, entering his sixth offseason at the helm, has certainly put his stamp on the roster, albeit with mixed results so far. This 2026 free agency period feels different. There's a sense of urgency, a feeling that the clock is ticking after a third straight 7-10 season under his watch. The big move, of course, was bringing in veteran quarterback Derek Carr on a two-year, $60 million deal, with $35 million guaranteed. That’s a significant investment for a 35-year-old quarterback who threw for 3,747 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions last season for the Saints. It’s a clear win-now move, pushing all the chips to the center of the table.
Rebuilding the Trenches, Again
Defense was a priority, as it should be after finishing 25th in total defense in 2025, giving up 365.1 yards per game. Fontenot addressed the defensive line by signing tackle Grover Stewart away from the Colts on a three-year, $33 million contract. Stewart, 32, provides a much-needed run-stuffing presence, logging 46 total tackles and 2 sacks last year. They also secured defensive end Josh Allen, formerly of the Jaguars, with a four-year, $72 million deal. Allen, coming off a 12-sack season, immediately becomes the Falcons' premier pass rusher, something they haven't consistently had since John Abraham. The secondary also got a boost with safety Jeremy Chinn joining on a two-year, $10 million pact from the Panthers. Chinn's versatility, having played both safety and nickel corner, will be valuable for defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen. The Falcons gave up 246 passing yards per game in 2025, so these moves aren't just for show.
Offensive Line Shuffle and Missed Opportunities
On the offensive side, the Falcons let some key pieces walk. Guard Chris Lindstrom, a Pro Bowl staple, signed a massive five-year, $105 million deal with the Jets. Losing Lindstrom stings, as he’s been a consistent top-tier performer since being drafted in 2019. Atlanta tried to replace him by signing former Texans guard Shaq Mason to a two-year, $14 million contract. Mason is solid, but he’s not Lindstrom. They also re-signed veteran offensive tackle Kaleb McGary to a two-year, $16 million extension. Keeping McGary provides continuity on the right side, but the left guard spot is a question mark. The biggest head-scratcher for me is the decision not to aggressively pursue another top-tier wide receiver. Drake London is good, but he can't do it all. He had 1,067 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns last season, but the next closest receiver only had 520 yards. They signed former Commanders speedster Curtis Samuel to a one-year, $5 million deal. Samuel is a nice complementary piece, but he's not a true WR2. This team desperately needed another dynamic pass-catcher to pair with London, especially with a new veteran quarterback.
Real talk: I think signing Derek Carr is a desperate move that won't pay off. He's a slight upgrade, sure, but he's not a Super Bowl quarterback, and they just committed significant cap space to him. This roster still feels a few pieces short, and they've mortgaged some future flexibility for a lateral move at quarterback. My bold prediction? The Falcons finish 8-9 and miss the playoffs, leading to another coaching change and Fontenot on the hot seat by this time next year.