Takk McKinley's tenure with the Atlanta Falcons appears to be nearing its conclusion. According to a new report, the Falcons are now looking to move the 24-year-old prior to the upcoming trade deadline.
This is via NFL.com's Tom Pelissero:
The #Falcons have had trade talks about DE Takk McKinley and other teams believe the former first-round pick gets moved before Tuesday’s deadline, though no deal is imminent, per sources. McKinley (groin) was held out of practice the past 2 days. Atlanta visits Carolina tomorrow.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 28, 2020
This does not come as a surprise, considering how the Falcons decided to decline the team option on McKinley's rookie scale deal for next season. This means that the former 26th overall pick is likely going to become a free agent in the offseason. It only makes sense for Atlanta to try and trade McKinley now while they still can.
As indicated in the tweet above, however, trade talks appear to be in the infancy stages. It is worth noting that McKinley has been plagued with shoulder issues for pretty much his entire professional career, and this might just serve as a red flag for potential suitors. Just recently, the former UCLA standout missed three games due to a groin injury, and at this point, his health appears to be one of, if not the biggest concern surrounding any potential trade deal.
The Falcons are currently 1-6, and this is quickly becoming another lost season for them. They are going to go up against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, as they look to bounce back from Sunday's defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions. For his part, it would not be surprising if McKinley is placed on the inactive list again, as the Falcons look to finalize his trade.
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