RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 3 sourcesWith the new contract for running back Bijan Robinson, the Falcons have recently given big deals to four young players who have become part of the nucleus of the team.
Beyond Robinson, the Falcons have extended 2021 first-round tight end Kyle Pitts (three years, $54 million), 2022 first-round receiver Drake London (four years, $141 million), and 2023 second-round guard Matthew Bergeron (four years, $96 million).
While some could reasonably quibble about the value of the various contracts when considering the players' on-field accomplishments to date (except for Robinson, who was a bargain), the new regime in Atlanta clearly regards all four players as key pieces for the present and foreseeable future.
That raises a question. Who drafted those players? It was former G.M. Terry Fontenot. Although the Kirk Cousins-Michael Penix Jr. misadventure from 2024 likely doomed everyone whose fingerprints were on those bang-bang decisions that blew up for the Falcons, Fontenot clearly did his job capably when it comes to selecting players whom the Falcons have since compensated as "keepers."
The other side of the coin is the question of whether the Falcons may be overcommitting cash and cap space to Pitts, London, and Bergeron. Each contract represents a prediction that they'll earn the money. If they do, great. If they don't, the Falcons could end up in a cap crunch with not much to show for it.
Through it all, the Falcons are close. They finished in a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South last year. If they can get consistency from the quarterback position, they could (and arguably should) win the division — especially since their new coach is a two-time coach of the year who has instantly acquired a more capable across-the-board roster than he had during his six seasons in Cleveland.
And who no longer has to compete with the Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals.
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