Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary announced his retirement from the National Football League on Apr. 8, ending a six-year career with the team.
McGary was drafted by the Falcons in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 31st overall pick after Atlanta traded back up to select him. Alongside fellow first-rounder Chris Lindstrom, McGary helped strengthen the right side of Atlanta’s offensive line and contributed to some of the league’s top rushing offenses between 2022 and 2025.
The Falcons ranked among the top ten rushing teams during those years, with McGary playing a key role as an open-field and edge-setting blocker. “I was fortunate that Kaleb was able to come in with me in 2019,” Lindstrom said in 2023 after McGary signed a three-year contract extension. “After I got signed and I knew I was going to be here for a while, and — Kaleb is my partner. You have your friend and your teammate, and you want him to be on the field with him.”
McGary appeared in 93 games for Atlanta, starting all but one over six seasons. He had been expected to start his seventh season in 2025 but missed that year due to a knee injury suffered at training camp’s end.
“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.”
The Atlanta Falcons compete in the National Football League’s NFC South division according to their official website. The team is based in Atlanta, Georgia according to their official website and began as an expansion franchise in 1965 according to their official website. The franchise has reached two Super Bowls—in 1998 and again in 2016—and Freddie the Falcon serves as its mascot according to their official website.
