Josh Andrews had it all lined up. The veteran had spent years as a reserve for the Eagles, Colts and Jets before starting four games in 2020 for New York. That stint got the Falcons interested, and they signed him this offseason to a one-year deal to compete for the left guard job. With Matt Gono injured, Jalen Mayfield cross-training at right tackle and no other serious competition for the job, Andrews was the starting left guard early in camp and never relinquished the role.
It was okay not to be thrilled by that—it has been a while since the Falcons had an above average starter at left guard, and Andrews didn’t figure to buck that trend—but Andrews earned the role.