When Atlanta Falcons GM Ian Cunningham signed Cameron Thomas in March, it looked like a depth move: a one-year, $3.1 million deal for a rotational edge rusher familiar with Kevin Stefanski from his time as the boss of the Cleveland Browns.
Then the offseason happened. Jalon Walker is out for the year with a torn ACL, James Pearce Jr. is serving a suspension, and Thomas has started out of the gate with an expanded role, and he’s used it a launch pad for a breakout season no Falcons fan saw coming.
While Atlanta has a shorthanded pass-rush, Thomas has stepped up. The former third-round pick currently leading the team with 23 pressures and has tacked on two sacks to his total despite never being anything more than a rotational before joining Atlanta in March this offseason. But with a breakout year comes power, because he's now making a pitch for a long-term contract extension.
The Falcons have an inexpensive, scheme-familiar, 26-year-old edge defender playing on an expiring contract, and they should lock him up before the market sets his price. Proactiveness on the extension market has been a big thing for this new regime, so pay 99 before it gets too late.
The Atlanta Falcons need to sign Cameron Thomas to an extension before it's too late
Waiting until the offseason would give Atlanta more information. Yes, that's reasonable, but the risk runs one way: if Thomas continues to produce with this week-to-week reliability, the price goes up. If he doesn't, waiting only saves the team a backup capital contract.
Given Atlanta's uncertain long-term outlook at edge, a low-risk extension makes more sense than testing the market. What uncertainty? Age comes into play with Za’Darius Smith (34) and Samson Ebukam (31). James Pearce Jr. respectfully needs to show he can behave enough to be counted on for the long haul after his legal troubles. Jalon Walker will be returning from a torn ACL Again, respectfully, this staff thought no higher of Zach Harrison than to cut him and stash him on the practice squad before reinstatement.
Waiver additions Jared Ivey and Yasir Abdullah have played well, but upside is limited as good backups, whereas Thomas has produced like this as a true starter. Bralen Trice has carved a role as a practice squad elevation and bottom of the roster guy after two years of injuries.
Thomas is dominatingly handling the majority of the snaps. Snaps through 5 games:
- Thomas 213
- Brandon Dorlus 189
- Ebukam 159
- LaCale London 137
- Zach Harrison 99
- Smith 78 (injury)
- Trice 55
Cameron Thomas (#99) is having a hell of a start to the season:
— Falcons All 22 (@Falcons_All_22) October 12, 2026
Per PFF he has 2 sacks and 19 pressures on 109 pass rush snaps -- good for a 17.4% pressure rate
An unbelievable bargain bin signing by Ian Cunningham pic.twitter.com/5V0KCl06St
Even after recent extensions of talents like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Matthew Bergeron, and Gervon Dexter Sr., the Falcons currently lead the NFL in available 2027 cap space at $139,673, 671. Yes, decisions have to be made about upcoming free agents, including:
- Jessie Bates III
- Divine Deablo
- Jawaan Taylor
- Charlie Woerner
- Ryan Neuzil
- Sydney Brown
- Etc.
There’s also perspective free agents around the league we can project the Falcons to possibly be interested in cutting a check were they left available by their current teams’ offerings or lack thereof, including (to name a perspective few):
- Mac Jones
- Josh Downs, Kayshon Boutte
- Braxton Jones, Warren McClendon
- Karl Brooks, Isaiah McGuire, Tuli Tuipulotu, Moro Ojomo, Kobie Turner
- Tariq Woolen
Having said all that, the chunk of remaining money has to be spent somewhere. Thomas has a team-high 10 quarterback hits and is tied for 17th in the NFL with 19 pressures. 2 sacks and a forced fumble through 5 games is nothing to sneeze at for who, in the opinion of many, has the hottest motor on the defense. Thomas is 100% effort 100% of the time.
Falcons ED Cameron Thomas had the hottest motor all preseason and THAT fumble is why it matters pic.twitter.com/maplzTgz0C
— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) September 13, 2026
Falcons Senior Vice President of Football Administration/Senior Personnel Executive Bryce Johnston has proven to be an expert in managing the salary cap across his time with the Philadelphia Eagles and time in Atlanta so far.
Let him get to work and get Thomas appropriately paid, because his play is indicating he's next in line to get a payday.
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