Speaking with reporters earlier this week, the Falcons’ head coach Arthur Smith said that he expects all of his players to be ready for the season opener, including Pitts.

“We fully anticipate everybody being ready to go Sept. 10,” Smith said when asked about Pitts’ availability. “And so we’ll be smart.”

Smith didn’t say when he expects Pitts to take part in football activities again. He hasn’t been present at Atlanta’s voluntary OTA practices so far.

Kyle Pitts had a memorable rookie season, catching 69 passes for 1,026 yards and a touchdown. He became only the second rookie tight end in NFL history to have 1,000+ yards in his rookie season, earning a Pro Bowl nod in the process.

Pitts’ sophomore campaign was a lot less successful as he dealt with a hamstring injury before tearing an MLC in his right knee in Week 11 and being ruled out for the remainder of 2023. The Florida product finished the season with 28 catches for 356 yards and two TDs.

The post Falcons Expect TE Kyle Pitts to Play in Week 1 appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Hayward joined the Falcons ahead of the 2022 NFL season on a two-year, $11 million contract. He only managed to play six games before going down with a torn pec. The 33-year-old player had 17 tackles, three passes defended, and one interception prior to the injury.

Prior to coming to Atlanta, Hayward played with the Green Bay Packers, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Las Vegas Raiders. He is a two-time Pro-Bowler and has led the NFL in interceptions in the 2016 season.

The Falcons’ decision to release Hayward was most likely motivated by salary cap savings. By moving the veteran, the team will save $5 million against the cap.

Hayward’s exit also gives newly-acquired corner Jeff Okudah a clearer path toward being Week 1 starter. Okudah, the third-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, joined in a trade with the Detroit Lions earlier in April.

There is also a possibility that the Falcons will address the cornerback position in the upcoming draft. They have seven picks, including No.8 and No.44 selections, and several analysts predict them taking a corner with one of the early picks.

The post Falcons Release Veteran CB Casey Hayward appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

In order to land Okudah, the Falcons have sent their fifth-round selection in this year’s draft to Detroit. According to Conner, the trade is viewed as a “win-win for both sides.”

The Lions believed they were getting a cornerback of the future when they selected Jeff Okudah three years ago. However, a series of injuries limited the Ohio State product to just 10 games in his first two seasons and prevented him from establishing himself as a mainstay in Detroit’s secondary.

In 2022, Okudah actually showed some flashes of his talent and put together his best campaign as a pro. He played in 15 games while managing 73 tackles, seven passes defended, one interception, and one defensive touchdown.

Still, this was not enough to convince the Lions, who went on to sign veteran corners Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley in free agency. With the duo likely guaranteed to start due to the type of money Detroit spent on them, Okudah became an odd man out.

Okudah gets a change of scenery in Atlanta while moving away from the pressure of being a high pick that didn’t pan out. He is considered a candidate to start opposite All-Pro corner A.J. Terrell in Week 1 for the Falcons.

The post Lions Trade Corner Jeff Okudah, No. 3 Pick in 2020, to the Falcons appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Campbell, a six-time Pro Bowler, signed with the Falcons last week on a one-year, $7 million deal. While the move was a surprise to many, considering he is in the late stage of his career, the player feels very comfortable with his decision. He explained that he likes coach Arthur Smith’s vision for the team and believes they will exceed the expectations of many.

“I really thought he had a great game plan for where the team is at right now and where it’s going, and I really feel like that’s gonna surprise a lot of people this year,” he shared. “This team’s gonna be a very competitive, tough team that’ll win a lot of ball games.”

Atlanta finished the 2022 season with a 7-10 record but showed a lot of promise as they tried to rebuild their roster and deal with salary-cap restraints. Signing proven veteran in Calais Campbell is a clear indication that the Falcons want to play better this year and bring some joy to their fans after several rough years.

Campbell had 5.5 sacks, 36 tackles, and two forced fumbles in 14 games he played with the Baltimore Ravens last season. The NFL 2010s All-Decade Team selectee previously also suited up for the Arizona Cardinals and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The post All-Pro DE Calais Campbell Says Falcons Will “Surprise a Lot of People This Year” appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Campbell’s move to the team comes as no surprise given that Falcons coach Arthur Smith stated at the end of the last season that the team needed to make additions to its defensive lineup. The changes began with the appointment of new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who replaced the retired Dean Pees, and was followed by the addition of safety Jessie Bates III, defensive tackle David Onyemata and linebacker Kaden Elliss on free agency.

With 5.5 sacks last season, Campbell would have ranked second on the Falcons team in 2022 as well as led the team in 2021 had he signed sooner. He is expected to provide a valuable wealth of experience to Atlanta’s defensive front. At 36 years old, Campbell is currently the oldest active defensive lineman in the NFL.

The post Falcons to Sign Calais Campbell on One-Year Deal appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Goldman signed with the Falcons last offseason and was expected to be a starter for the team in 2022. However, he retired a few weeks later without even suiting up for the franchise.

After spending his college career with Florida State, Goldman was drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He ended up making 73 starts for the Bears, contributing with 175 tackles, 13.0 sacks, and 21 QB hits. Goldman was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate in 2019.

It is hard to believe that Falcons still view Goldman as a potential starter after his eight months out of the league. He will likely serve as a depth piece and veteran presence on the defensive line that has several younger players, including last year’s undrafted free agent Timmy Horne and third-year player Ta’Quon Graham.

Atlanta also addressed defensive line needs in free agency by signing veteran David Onyemata. The former New Orleans Saints player inked a three-year, $35 million contract.

The post Falcons Activate DT Eddie Goldman After 8 Months of Retirement appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The move will help the Patriots get some salary cap relief while Smith provides cover for the Falcons on the tight end position. It will allow Atlanta to be more cautious with their star TE Kyle Pitts, who is returning from knee surgery.

 In Atlanta, Smith will be reunited with head coach Arthur Smith. The two previously worked together with the Tennessee Titans, where Jonnu Smith started his career, and Arthur Smith served first as a tight ends coach and later as an offensive coordinator.

The New England Patriots signed Jonnu Smith as part of their big free-agent spending spree ahead of the 2021 season. Smith was coming off a career year with the Titans, which saw him get 41 receptions for 448 yards and eight touchdowns, and he ended up getting a four-year, $50 million deal from the Pats.

However, Smith never settled in New England and delivered two underwhelming seasons. He played 30 games in which he had 55 catches for 539 yards and only one TD.

The post Patriots Trade TE Jonnu Smith to Falcons for a 7th-Rounder appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The move was widely expected, considering that Mariota left the team in Week 14 after being benched in favor of rookie Desmond Ridder.

Mariota joined the Falcons ahead of the 2022 NFL season following a stint as a backup with the Las Vegas Raiders. He was named Week 1 starter and went on to throw for 2,219 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine picks. The former second-overall pick was moved to the bench after 13 games in which Atlanta went 5-8.

Despite an underwhelming campaign with the Falcons, Mariota is expected to draw interest from other teams as a backup. He has a 62.6 completion percentage, 15,656 passing yards, 92 TDs, and 54 interceptions since making his debut in NFL in 2015 with the Tennessee Titans.

Most people expect the Falcons to turn to Ridder as their QB for the next season, considering he played well during his four starts in 2022. However, head coach Arthur Smith says he is still undecided whether the sophomore signal-caller will get the gig in 2024.

“We’re not naming any starters right now,” Smith said while speaking with reporters earlier this week. “There are a lot of things that can happen. We’re very excited about Des, no different than we are about Tyler Allgeier and Drake London and the improvements they’ve made and guys who are currently on our roster. As always, all options are on the table.”

The post Veteran QB Marcus Mariota Released By the Atlanta Falcons appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Mariota reportedly told the Falcons that he has knee issues and intends to have surgery. As a result, the Falcons placed him on injured reserve, although head coach Arthur Smith made it clear he doesn’t think this is the real reason why the veteran stepped away. 

“Of course, you want all your guys to be here, but guys have to make decisions. It’s part of professional sports. You have to have contingency plans,” Smith told reporters.

The Falcons lost four out of their last five games but still remain in the hunt for a playoff spot in NFC. By turning to Ridder, they will either boost a stale offense or at least see what they have in the rookie signal-caller.

The plan was for Mariota to be a backup moving forward, but apparently, that doesn’t seem to be something the 29-year-old player is willing to do. The most likely scenario now is that Mariota gets cut at some point until the end of the season.

Marcus Mariota signed a two-year, $18.75 million deal with the Falcons in the offseason. He went 5-8 as a starter in 2022, throwing for 2,219 yards, 15 TDs, and nine picks.

The post QB Marcus Mariota Leaves the Falcons After Being Benched appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The decision to bench Mariota comes as a result of the Falcons’ poor recent form, having lost four of their last five games and scoring more than 20 points on just one occasion.

Following the 19-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday, Falcons coach Arthur Smith revealed that he is considering using rookie Desmond Ridder in Mariota’s place during the Saints game.

Selected by the Falcons in the third round of this year’s draft, Ridder was a starter for Cincinnati for four years. According to Smith, it had been the plan all season to develop Ridder as a backup to Mariota.

Being benched is not a new phenomenon for Mariota. The quarterback also fell out of favor with the Tennessee Titans during the 2019 season, before regaining his position and eventually trading to the Falcons in March. The current season has not been all bad for Mariota, as he was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week during Week 6 after completing 92.9% of his passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

The post Marcus Mariota Benched By Falcons appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Speaking with reporters earlier this week, the Falcons’ head coach Arthur Smith said that he expects all of his players to be ready for the season opener, including Pitts.

“We fully anticipate everybody being ready to go Sept. 10,” Smith said when asked about Pitts’ availability. “And so we’ll be smart.”

Smith didn’t say when he expects Pitts to take part in football activities again. He hasn’t been present at Atlanta’s voluntary OTA practices so far.

Kyle Pitts had a memorable rookie season, catching 69 passes for 1,026 yards and a touchdown. He became only the second rookie tight end in NFL history to have 1,000+ yards in his rookie season, earning a Pro Bowl nod in the process.

Pitts’ sophomore campaign was a lot less successful as he dealt with a hamstring injury before tearing an MLC in his right knee in Week 11 and being ruled out for the remainder of 2023. The Florida product finished the season with 28 catches for 356 yards and two TDs.

The post Falcons Expect TE Kyle Pitts to Play in Week 1 appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Hayward joined the Falcons ahead of the 2022 NFL season on a two-year, $11 million contract. He only managed to play six games before going down with a torn pec. The 33-year-old player had 17 tackles, three passes defended, and one interception prior to the injury.

Prior to coming to Atlanta, Hayward played with the Green Bay Packers, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Las Vegas Raiders. He is a two-time Pro-Bowler and has led the NFL in interceptions in the 2016 season.

The Falcons’ decision to release Hayward was most likely motivated by salary cap savings. By moving the veteran, the team will save $5 million against the cap.

Hayward’s exit also gives newly-acquired corner Jeff Okudah a clearer path toward being Week 1 starter. Okudah, the third-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, joined in a trade with the Detroit Lions earlier in April.

There is also a possibility that the Falcons will address the cornerback position in the upcoming draft. They have seven picks, including No.8 and No.44 selections, and several analysts predict them taking a corner with one of the early picks.

The post Falcons Release Veteran CB Casey Hayward appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

In order to land Okudah, the Falcons have sent their fifth-round selection in this year’s draft to Detroit. According to Conner, the trade is viewed as a “win-win for both sides.”

The Lions believed they were getting a cornerback of the future when they selected Jeff Okudah three years ago. However, a series of injuries limited the Ohio State product to just 10 games in his first two seasons and prevented him from establishing himself as a mainstay in Detroit’s secondary.

In 2022, Okudah actually showed some flashes of his talent and put together his best campaign as a pro. He played in 15 games while managing 73 tackles, seven passes defended, one interception, and one defensive touchdown.

Still, this was not enough to convince the Lions, who went on to sign veteran corners Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley in free agency. With the duo likely guaranteed to start due to the type of money Detroit spent on them, Okudah became an odd man out.

Okudah gets a change of scenery in Atlanta while moving away from the pressure of being a high pick that didn’t pan out. He is considered a candidate to start opposite All-Pro corner A.J. Terrell in Week 1 for the Falcons.

The post Lions Trade Corner Jeff Okudah, No. 3 Pick in 2020, to the Falcons appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Campbell, a six-time Pro Bowler, signed with the Falcons last week on a one-year, $7 million deal. While the move was a surprise to many, considering he is in the late stage of his career, the player feels very comfortable with his decision. He explained that he likes coach Arthur Smith’s vision for the team and believes they will exceed the expectations of many.

“I really thought he had a great game plan for where the team is at right now and where it’s going, and I really feel like that’s gonna surprise a lot of people this year,” he shared. “This team’s gonna be a very competitive, tough team that’ll win a lot of ball games.”

Atlanta finished the 2022 season with a 7-10 record but showed a lot of promise as they tried to rebuild their roster and deal with salary-cap restraints. Signing proven veteran in Calais Campbell is a clear indication that the Falcons want to play better this year and bring some joy to their fans after several rough years.

Campbell had 5.5 sacks, 36 tackles, and two forced fumbles in 14 games he played with the Baltimore Ravens last season. The NFL 2010s All-Decade Team selectee previously also suited up for the Arizona Cardinals and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The post All-Pro DE Calais Campbell Says Falcons Will “Surprise a Lot of People This Year” appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Campbell’s move to the team comes as no surprise given that Falcons coach Arthur Smith stated at the end of the last season that the team needed to make additions to its defensive lineup. The changes began with the appointment of new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who replaced the retired Dean Pees, and was followed by the addition of safety Jessie Bates III, defensive tackle David Onyemata and linebacker Kaden Elliss on free agency.

With 5.5 sacks last season, Campbell would have ranked second on the Falcons team in 2022 as well as led the team in 2021 had he signed sooner. He is expected to provide a valuable wealth of experience to Atlanta’s defensive front. At 36 years old, Campbell is currently the oldest active defensive lineman in the NFL.

The post Falcons to Sign Calais Campbell on One-Year Deal appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Goldman signed with the Falcons last offseason and was expected to be a starter for the team in 2022. However, he retired a few weeks later without even suiting up for the franchise.

After spending his college career with Florida State, Goldman was drafted in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. He ended up making 73 starts for the Bears, contributing with 175 tackles, 13.0 sacks, and 21 QB hits. Goldman was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate in 2019.

It is hard to believe that Falcons still view Goldman as a potential starter after his eight months out of the league. He will likely serve as a depth piece and veteran presence on the defensive line that has several younger players, including last year’s undrafted free agent Timmy Horne and third-year player Ta’Quon Graham.

Atlanta also addressed defensive line needs in free agency by signing veteran David Onyemata. The former New Orleans Saints player inked a three-year, $35 million contract.

The post Falcons Activate DT Eddie Goldman After 8 Months of Retirement appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The move will help the Patriots get some salary cap relief while Smith provides cover for the Falcons on the tight end position. It will allow Atlanta to be more cautious with their star TE Kyle Pitts, who is returning from knee surgery.

 In Atlanta, Smith will be reunited with head coach Arthur Smith. The two previously worked together with the Tennessee Titans, where Jonnu Smith started his career, and Arthur Smith served first as a tight ends coach and later as an offensive coordinator.

The New England Patriots signed Jonnu Smith as part of their big free-agent spending spree ahead of the 2021 season. Smith was coming off a career year with the Titans, which saw him get 41 receptions for 448 yards and eight touchdowns, and he ended up getting a four-year, $50 million deal from the Pats.

However, Smith never settled in New England and delivered two underwhelming seasons. He played 30 games in which he had 55 catches for 539 yards and only one TD.

The post Patriots Trade TE Jonnu Smith to Falcons for a 7th-Rounder appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The move was widely expected, considering that Mariota left the team in Week 14 after being benched in favor of rookie Desmond Ridder.

Mariota joined the Falcons ahead of the 2022 NFL season following a stint as a backup with the Las Vegas Raiders. He was named Week 1 starter and went on to throw for 2,219 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine picks. The former second-overall pick was moved to the bench after 13 games in which Atlanta went 5-8.

Despite an underwhelming campaign with the Falcons, Mariota is expected to draw interest from other teams as a backup. He has a 62.6 completion percentage, 15,656 passing yards, 92 TDs, and 54 interceptions since making his debut in NFL in 2015 with the Tennessee Titans.

Most people expect the Falcons to turn to Ridder as their QB for the next season, considering he played well during his four starts in 2022. However, head coach Arthur Smith says he is still undecided whether the sophomore signal-caller will get the gig in 2024.

“We’re not naming any starters right now,” Smith said while speaking with reporters earlier this week. “There are a lot of things that can happen. We’re very excited about Des, no different than we are about Tyler Allgeier and Drake London and the improvements they’ve made and guys who are currently on our roster. As always, all options are on the table.”

The post Veteran QB Marcus Mariota Released By the Atlanta Falcons appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

Mariota reportedly told the Falcons that he has knee issues and intends to have surgery. As a result, the Falcons placed him on injured reserve, although head coach Arthur Smith made it clear he doesn’t think this is the real reason why the veteran stepped away. 

“Of course, you want all your guys to be here, but guys have to make decisions. It’s part of professional sports. You have to have contingency plans,” Smith told reporters.

The Falcons lost four out of their last five games but still remain in the hunt for a playoff spot in NFC. By turning to Ridder, they will either boost a stale offense or at least see what they have in the rookie signal-caller.

The plan was for Mariota to be a backup moving forward, but apparently, that doesn’t seem to be something the 29-year-old player is willing to do. The most likely scenario now is that Mariota gets cut at some point until the end of the season.

Marcus Mariota signed a two-year, $18.75 million deal with the Falcons in the offseason. He went 5-8 as a starter in 2022, throwing for 2,219 yards, 15 TDs, and nine picks.

The post QB Marcus Mariota Leaves the Falcons After Being Benched appeared first on yoursportspot.com.

The decision to bench Mariota comes as a result of the Falcons’ poor recent form, having lost four of their last five games and scoring more than 20 points on just one occasion.

Following the 19-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday, Falcons coach Arthur Smith revealed that he is considering using rookie Desmond Ridder in Mariota’s place during the Saints game.

Selected by the Falcons in the third round of this year’s draft, Ridder was a starter for Cincinnati for four years. According to Smith, it had been the plan all season to develop Ridder as a backup to Mariota.

Being benched is not a new phenomenon for Mariota. The quarterback also fell out of favor with the Tennessee Titans during the 2019 season, before regaining his position and eventually trading to the Falcons in March. The current season has not been all bad for Mariota, as he was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week during Week 6 after completing 92.9% of his passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

The post Marcus Mariota Benched By Falcons appeared first on yoursportspot.com.