How Franchise Tagging a Former Top Prospect Changes the Outlook of the Falcons in Free Agency
The Atlanta Falcons’ roster was bound to be in flux with the hiring of a new regime. Everything in Flowery Branch has changed from top to bottom, from the head coach to the general manager. Despite the changes, new general manager Ian Cunninham has made it imperative that former fourth overall pick Kyle Pitts returns to the big A for at least one more season. With the franchise tag all but set in stone for the tight end, the result may lead to a rather quiet offseason in Atlanta in terms of signing marquee free agents.
The former Florida Gator prospect racked up 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns, his receptions and touchdowns being career highs. Pitts’ franchise tag will cost the team around 15 million dollars. A pretty steep bill to pay, but the former Pro Bowl tight end has come off arguably the most productive year in his five years in the league. Franchise tagging Pitts will leave Atlanta with around 10 million dollars under the cap, minus restructures and future roster cuts. The good news from the tagging is that Atlanta more than likely won’t be shopping around for a replacement tight end or another premier pass catcher. However, tagging the tight end will put Cunningham’s group into a bit of a cap crunch. Lack of cap flexibility is something that seems to follow Atlanta like a snake following a rat to eat it alive. Being in such a cap crunch only indicates that a few familiar faces in Flowery Branch are bound to hit the open market.
A few cut candidates will more than likely be veterans, such as Kaden Ellis and David Onyemata. One loss is more significant than the other, as Atlanta would need to find a quality linebacking replacement for Ellis, who had given the budding defense stability and solid production. Another player they’ll likely let test the market is running back Tyler Allgeier. Allgeier’s production took a dip in the 2025 season, sporting career lows in rushing yards despite his carries going up from the previous year. With the lower production and emergence of star back Bijan Robinson, it would probably be best for the Falcons to let Allgeier test the waters of free agency. The former fifth round pick will be one of the many running back names that will more than likely hit the free agent market, which will put a hole at back up running back for Atlanta. The biggest name that Atlanta will also move on from is quarterback Kirk Cousins, who had signed a four year, 180 million dollar contract with the team during the 2024 offseason. Cousins is set to be cut come during the first day of the league’s new year on March 11th, according to general manager Ian Cunningham. This will end his disappointing tenure with Atlanta and leave another hole at quarterback that Cunningham and his staff will have to address in the coming months.
Despite their cap crunch, there are still some names to look out for that Cunningham and company could go after during free agency. With the Pitts franchise tag, Atlanta can focus on bolstering the other side of the football even further. Finishing second in total sacks in 2025, it would be wise for the Falcons to add onto an emerging defensive line. Former University of Georgia prospect Azeez Ojulari is a perfect candidate to add as an edge threat. His value is at an all time low as he had a career low in snaps and games played. It would be a low-risk, potentially high-reward signing if he can get back to his 2024 form. Outside corner is a cause of concern as well, and another low-risk, high-reward signing is former Jaguar and Brown Greg Newsome II. The 26 year old is set to hit free agency, and he would be a perfect outside pair alongside former all-pro cornerback AJ Terrell. Watch out for names Devin Bush and Devin Lloyd, as they are set to hit the open market as well. The former first round picks would be cheap and younger replacements for veteran Kaden Ellis. Cunningham will more than likely address the rest of the team’s needs for the team come the NFL draft. Younger and cheaper talent can make an impact for a team that is bound to be low key and quiet when it comes to signing free agents due to franchise tagging, who they hope to be a cornerstone at tight end.
