The Atlanta Falcons enter 2021 NFL free agency coming off a 4-12 season in 2020 and have 18 unrestricted free agents.
It’ll be hard for the Falcons to do much other than add some value free agents because they’re roughly $22 million over the projected salary cap in 2021 -- and that’s after the release of safety Ricardo Allen and defensive lineman Allen Bailey. New GM Terry Fontenot is going to have to navigate this season carefully before getting some cap relief.
Here’s what to expect from the Falcons when the NFL offseason hits high gear with the start of free agency on March 17:
QUARTERBACK
Under contract: Matt Ryan
UFA: Matt Schaub
Game plan: With Schaub retiring the Falcons have to find a backup to Ryan -- and, at some point, his eventual replacement.