The Falcons freed up nearly $20 million in cap space by retaining these two offensive playmakers. However, Cunningham would be wise to use some of that money to extend other key players, including Bijan Robinson and Matthew Bergeron.<\/p>\n
In today’s Falcons Wire<\/a> Recap, Atlanta’s offensive line receives some love, Bleacher Report calls out A.J. Terrell’s recent ESPN snub, we look at updated salary cap numbers and one concerning stat for Tua Tagovailoa.<\/p>\n B\/R calls out A.J. Terrell’s ESPN poll snub<\/p>\n ESPN’s recent poll of NFL personnel did not include A.J. Terrell among the top 10 cornerbacks in the league, however, Terrell was included in the honorable mentions section. Bleacher Report\u00a0took exception with a few of the players left off of ESPN’s poll, highlighting Terrell among biggest snubs<\/a>.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n “There’s some fantastic cornerback talent in the honorable mention section,” wrote B\/R’s Paul Kasabian<\/a>. “Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. has been one of the better players at his position since arriving in the league in 2020. The knock on him here appeared to be a lack of interceptions (six over his six years).”<\/p>\n Falcons offensive line ranked top 10<\/p>\n The Falcons offensive line actually received some love this week around the NFL.\u00a0According to an analysis by Warren Sharp, Atlanta’s offensive line is the 10th best<\/a> in the NFL this year.<\/p>\n “The unit finished 14th in pass block win rate in 2025,” wrote Sharp<\/a>. “They added former Chief Jawaan Taylor in free agency to play right tackle following Kaleb McGary\u2019s retirement. The Falcons\u2019 line was very healthy last year, with four starters playing over 1,000 snaps at their respective positions.”<\/p>\n PFF shares concerning Tua stat<\/p>\n Tua Tagovailoa’s issues over the last few seasons have been difficult to pin down, but\u00a0this nugget from Pro Football Focus<\/a>\u00a0suggests he’s been one of the NFL’s worst starters over the last two years going by their grades.<\/p>\n “The former Miami Dolphin was one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, ranking fourth among qualifying quarterbacks in PFF WAR over that span. But he has been on a downward trajectory over the past two years, ranking 31st among 33 qualifying quarterbacks in PFF overall grade (67.9) since 2024.”<\/p>\n Falcons 10 highest salary cap hits on offense<\/p>\n The Falcons have approximately $37.9 million in cap space available after extending Pitts and London. Here’s an updated list of the team’s 10 highest salary cap hits on offense in 2026. As you’ll notice below (*), Pitts now sits just outside of the top 10.<\/p>\n Chris Lindstrom:\u00a0$26,250,000Jake Matthews:\u00a0$16,773,714Drake London:\u00a0$7,996,200Bijan Robinson:\u00a0$6,986,810Michael Penix:\u00a0$6,240,719Ryan Neuzil:\u00a0$6,225,000Charlie Woerner:\u00a0$5,750,000Jahan Dotson:\u00a0$5,000,000Matthew Bergeron:\u00a0$4,806,451Jawaan Taylor:\u00a0$4,625,000Kyle Pitts:\u00a0$4,622,000*SI praises Falcons OGs Bergeron and Lindstrom<\/p>\n Falcons guards Chris Lindstrom and Matthew Bergeron were praised as one of the NFL’s top interior offensive line duos by SI’s Matt Verderame.<\/p>\n “As for Bergeron, he\u2019s settled in nicely through three years, starting all but two games of his career,” wrote Verderame<\/a>. The Syracuse product also had top-30 PFF grades last year overall and for run blocking, showing the versatility of a player entering the final season of his rookie contract.”<\/p>\n NFL world reacts to new Penix workout video<\/p>\n Falcons fans on social media were encouraged by a new clip of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. slinging the ball around (see below) at a QB camp. Penix continues to make progress and hopes to be ready for the start of training camp in a few weeks.<\/p>\n Falcons offensive infrastructure ranked 12th in NFL<\/p>\n Where does Atlanta’s supporting cast on offense rank among the 32 NFL teams? Maybe not as high as you’d expect. According to Jared Dubin at CBS Sports, the Falcons’ offensive infrastructure is the 12th-best in the league<\/a> going into the 2026 season.<\/p>\n “The\u00a0Falcons’ elite running back grade for the Bijan and Brian Robinson pairing making up for a disadvantage in the pass catcher department, where the Falcons are much thinner than are the\u00a0Vikings,” wrote Dubin<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1783641968_955_90740210007-usatsi-27893481.jpg\")
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