As was the case for the past couple of years, the Atlanta Falcons enter the upcoming offseason with plenty of uncertainty across the board.
Unlike with multiple other teams that wound up missing the playoffs, the Falcons will not have to address any notable personnel changes, as general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith are both staying put for the 2022 campaign. A promising draft coupled with a few overachievers from free agency helped Fontenot’s case to remain with the team, while the Falcons’ midseason surge certainly cemented Smith’s chances of staying on as head coach for another season.
In the big picture, one could make the case that this offseason for the Falcons could be a franchise-altering one. At the least, quarterback Matt Ryan is very likely to be under center for the 2022 season. Smith recently hinted that the one-time NFL MVP winner will not be traded or released in the coming months. More so, one notable report in Week 18 made clear he will stay put in Atlanta.
The Falcons face plenty of questions on both sides of the ball following a 7-10 campaign. Several playmakers on offense are set to become unrestricted free agents, while the team may be in danger of losing a few stout defensive contributors.
The Falcons may end up seeing 20-plus players hit free agency in a few months. While the Falcons may end up re-signing a bulk of them, they must prioritize keeping these three talents.
Watch NFL games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Three players Atlanta must re-sign
Cordarrelle Patterson – Wide Receiver
When the Falcons signed veteran wideout Cordarrelle Patterson to a mere one-year, $3 million deal in the last offseason, much was expected that he would end up being a regular in the backend of their wide receiver depth chart. However, Patterson sure proved his doubters wrong, as he wound up emerging as a keen contributor in the Falcons’ pass and rush attack.
Overall, Patterson finished with career highs in yards from scrimmage (1,166), touches (20) and total touchdowns (11). More so, he blossomed as a reliable red zone target for Ryan, as he hauled in four touchdown receptions in this area of the field.
If it were up to Patterson, he would re-sign with the Falcons, as he recently noted that he is much open to the idea of coming to terms on a new deal with the team. Ryan is also on board with seeing Patterson back for the 2022 campaign, as he much enjoyed having him as a teammate this past season.
Click here for odds on the NFL playoffs, via FanDuel.
At the end of the day, the NFL is a business. Barring another team friendly deal in the range of $3 million per season, Patterson could be on the move once again in his lengthy career. Still, Fontenot must do what it takes to keep him in Atlanta.
Foyesade Oluokun – Middle Linebacker
Not many fourth-year players had quite a standout campaign in the final year of their rookie deal as Falcons middle linebacker Foyesade Oluokun did this past season.
Oluokun has simply been the do-it-all linebacker for Atlanta. In regular season play, he racked up 192 total tackles, 2.0 sacks and allowed an 89.9 passer rating while in coverage. His versatility and speed in the open field allowed for Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees to utilize him as both a run-stopper and one who could cover tight ends as well.
The Falcons certainly can not afford to lose an all-around talent like Oluokun – especially as they have committed to rebuilding their front seven over the past few years.
Oluokun recently noted that his agent will begin talks with the Falcons front office for a possible new contract deal by season's end. Whether it will be with the Falcons or another team, he may be in line for a coveted multiyear deal in the coming months.
Russell Gage – Wide Receiver
The Falcons had plenty of turnaround at the wide receiver position over the past year. Fortunately for Ryan, he had wideouts such as Russell Gage who stepped up to the occasion.
Overall, Gage led all Falcons wide receivers in receiving yards (770), targets (94) and receptions (66). Whether in the open field or in slants down the middle, Gage sure emerged as a blanket wideout for Ryan over the campaign.
As with Oluokun, Gage played the past regular season on the final year of his rookie contract. If the Falcons aim to still build around Ryan, they must come to terms with Gage on a multiyear deal.
A pivotal offseason sure awaits the Falcons later this year.
Follow Us
Subscribe