The Atlanta Falcons welcomed players back to their facility earlier this week as Phase I of the voluntary offseason workout program began Tuesday, according to an April 10 announcement. The team also reported the retirement of offensive tackle Kaleb McGary, who was selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft and played six seasons with Atlanta.
McGary, who started 92 games for the Falcons, missed all of last season due to a knee injury. He was known for helping solidify Atlanta’s offensive line alongside Chris Lindstrom and contributed to several top-10 rushing offenses from 2022 through 2025. “I truly enjoyed my time playing alongside Kaleb,” Atlanta Falcons President of Football Matt Ryan said. “He was an outstanding teammate and had a tremendous career as a Falcon. We are grateful for the impact he made on this organization, and we wish him nothing but the best in retirement.”
General manager Ian Cunningham discussed how limited draft capital led the team to focus on free agency during this offseason’s first wave. “Moving forward, you don’t want to live in that space,” Cunningham said about relying heavily on free agency. “You would like for your draft picks to eventually take the place of those things, but this was a year where we had to attack it this way.” Cunningham also stated his commitment to drafting based on best player available: “Having been raised in the systems in Baltimore, I am a firm believer in best player available,” he said.
Veteran running back Bijan Robinson spoke about taking on more leadership responsibility as he enters his fourth year with Atlanta: “Me being here for now going on my fourth year and me now being a veteran leader to these guys, it’s pretty cool. I am pretty excited, even just with how I feel,” Robinson said. He added that while last season was positive, he aims for greater improvement: “Last year was a cool year,” Robinson admitted, “but this year I want to be even better in all aspects.” Safety Jessie Bates III echoed similar sentiments regarding personal motivation each season: “I say every year you have something to prove,” Bates said.
The Falcons compete in the National Football League’s NFC South division according to their official website. The franchise is based in Atlanta, Georgia according to their official website and began play as an expansion team in 1965 according to their official website. The club has advanced twice to the Super Bowl—in 1998 and again in 2016—as reported by its official site. Freddie the Falcon serves as mascot according to its official website.
With mock drafts underway ahead of upcoming league events such as the NFL Draft later this month, observers can expect continued updates from team insiders at AtlantaFalcons.com.
