Notable Atlanta Falcons players playing on a contract season

The Atlanta Falcons have five starters who will see their contracts expire in 2021.

Atlanta Falcons safety Damontae Kazee spoke with Kelsey Conway of the Atlanta Falcons and said he’s not worried about his next contract and is focused on buying his parents a house. Since his rookie season in 2017, Kazee has been putting money to the side for the purpose of coming through with his promise.

Kazee stepped into Atlanta Falcons stardom during the 2018 season when he was tasked with being the top safety on defense due to injuries to both Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal. He tied with Kyle Fuller and Xavien Howard for a league-leading seven interceptions.

Him being featured at safety, drafted as a cornerback, has allowed for Dann Quinn to move him to the position full time. Hopefully, a full-time switch will allow for proper development at the safety spot.

Another player, of more importance, is Atlanta Falcons center, Alex Mack. Mack has been the anchor of this Atlanta Falcons offense since acquired as a free agent in 2016. Since joining the Falcons, Mack has shown to be one of the NFL’s elite centers.

However, for Mack, his contract year is quite different. While a lot of these guys are playing to get another contract, 2020 could be the final time Mack suits up altogether. The will-be 35 years old will be entering his 12th season in the NFL

His likely retirement could be why the Atlanta Falcons drafted the number one center, Matt Hennessy from Temple University, in the third round. Hennessy is slated to share the left guard position with James Carpenter and Matt Gono.

Keanu Neal and Takk McKinley will also be playing on a contract season in 2020. Both players have been the topic of much discussion this offseason, both for entirely different reasons. Takk McKinley was drafted in the first round of 2017 and hasn’t lived up to his value.

Takk went the first 10 weeks of 2019 without registering a single sack. He was only credited for half a sack in the Week 3 matchup against Indianapolis. So while Takk has yet to prove he can walk the talk, Neal has been a fan favorite since he was drafted.

Everyone loves a hard-hitting safety, and Neal may be one of the league’s hardest hitters. But, his injuries in both 2018 and 2019 have crippled this Atlanta Falcons defense and forced guys to rotate positions. Unlike Takk, Neal was granted his 5th-year option by the team and is due for a second contract, barring any injuries.

Neal has the potential to be one of the best safeties in the league and given a successful 2020 campaign, I would hope that the Atlanta Falcons would find a way to keep him around.

Just like Keanu Neal, newly acquired running back Todd Gurley will see to it that 2020 will put to rest the claims that he is washed. Coming to Atlanta on a one year deal, the Rams parted ways with Gurley due to his ongoing knee troubles that could stem from his ACL tear while at the University of Georgia.

Even so, Gurley likely won’t see the same load as he saw in Los Angeles due to how little the run game is in Atlanta. Although, offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has stated that there will be more emphasis on the run in 2020.

If the Atlanta Falcons are still playing from behind in 2020, then I doubt this is the case. The Atlanta Falcons also have a number of guys that will rotate with Gurley, including Brian Hill, who is also on his final season.