The Falcons are tight on cap space and have very few players worth giving extensions. So, of course, they can designate a franchise player starting on Tuesday. New general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith are looking up and down the roster, likely finding little to discuss considering the retracted salary cap space thanks to COVID-19.
This is not anything new for the Falcons. The team has historically paid (or overpaid) their core players before they hit free agency. Some players have been hit with the franchise tag, such as Grady Jarrett, only to sign a long-term extension within a matter of weeks.