This is the biggest off-season the Atlanta Falcons have faced since drafting Matt Ryan nearly fifteen years ago. Atlanta has cap space to spare, young talent, new defensive leadership, and decisions to make at the quarterback position. This off-season will define Arthur Smith’s tenure as Atlanta’s head coach for better or worse.
The excuses for Smith are gone with two seasons now behind him and the ability to use Atlanta’s full cap space. Add in a terrible division in a wide-open NFC and this is the season the Falcons need to make a playoff push under Smith. Seven-win seasons will no longer cut it barring season-changing injuries the Falcons need to win now and that should start with three off-season cuts that open more cap space and allow Atlanta to add impact players.
1. Marcus Mariota
Cutting Marcus Mariota saves the Atlanta Falcons $12-million against the cap and has an argument as the most obvious off-season cut in the league. Bringing Marcus back after cutting the veteran on a cheaper deal would make a level of sense if not for how the season ended with Mariota leaving the team.
Atlanta needs a veteran who can come in and push Desmond Ridder in camp and throughout the season. A player that fans won’t call for but one more than capable of pushing the young quarterback and being a resource on the sideline.
Mariota isn’t a starter for this team and isn’t an option as a backup. Keeping him on this roster doesn’t make sense even with a new contract. Mariota’s time with Atlanta will be remembered with the frustration that Marcus brought with consistent missed throws and turnovers that changed games.
Cutting Mariota opens up the ability for Atlanta to sign another impact player this off-season and pushes their cap space well past $60-million trailing only the Chicago Bears in off-season cap space.
2. Feleipe Franks
Cutting Feleipe Franks is less about the potential cap space the move would save and more about opening a roster spot for a player capable of contributing to winning football. The limited snaps Franks earned on the field with the offense resulted in the last two seasons in either a failed play or a turnover.
Whether it is at quarterback or tight end Franks hasn’t been able to make an impact and shouldn’t be given a roster spot next season. It would be far better to give this roster spot to an undrafted free agent or a veteran player capable of providing leadership even if it doesn’t result in production.
Franks was a fun story throughout last season and camp this year as a player attempting to switch positions. His speed and playmaking ability are what has kept him on this roster but it has been two years of these skills failing to translate into making an impact in games. Atlanta needs to part ways with Franks even if that means replacing him with a far more expensive reserve option.
3. Jalen Mayfield
Another player who isn’t going to save the Atlanta Falcons enough to make a huge difference in their cap space, however, there isn’t a question Mayfield shouldn’t be back on this roster. Watching the huge difference in the offensive line in 2021 with Mayfield and the drastic improvement without him in the 2022 season illustrates how big of a bust Mayfield was as a starter.
Mayfield isn’t a starter for this team next season and should be cut this off-season. There is an argument for keeping Mayfield on the roster due to his low cap hit and the cheap depth he would provide. However, it is clear that Jalen isn’t going to be a starter in this league or capable of contributing at any consistent level. Atlanta could easily bring in another option at the same cap level as Mayfield with a better chance of developing or becoming a legitimate starter in case of injury. As difficult as it is to give up on your own draft pick Atlanta needs to move on from Mayfield.