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Falcons decide not to tag Kaleb McGary, nor pursue Lamar Jackson per sources


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Falcons decide not to franchise tag Kaleb McGary

Story by Chase Irle, SportsTalkATL  12m ago
 
It has been a whirlwind of a day for Falcons fans. It was originally reported that the Falcons and Ravens have had increased trade talks over the NFL Combine regarding Lamar Jackson. That riled up the fan base, much like it did last offseason with Deshaun Watson, but the result is the same.
 
Diana Russinni and multiple other high profile NFL insiders refuted the report shortly after, and even took it a step further, stating “The Atlanta Falcons will not be pursuing Lamar Jackson.”
The Atlanta Falcons will not be pursuing QB Lamar Jackson, per sources.
 
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I would be lying if I said I didn’t get my hopes up a little when the original report suggested the Falcons were going after Jackson. I’m not sure it would have been the best course of action, but at the very least, it would have brought some life to what has been a lifeless franchise over the last five years. However, that wasn’t the only critical news worth monitoring today.

The Falcons also had to make a decision on one of their own in Kaleb McGary, who was a candidate for the franchise tag. McGary is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason following a breakout campaign in his fourth season. The Falcons would like to bring him back, but it won’t be on the franchise tag.

The #Falcons are not franchise tagging RT Kaleb McGary, per source. One of the top offensive linemen available set to hit free agency.
 
 
The Falcons still have a week to work out an extension with McGary, but they’ve shown no sign of commitment to their former first-round pick. They understandably did not pick up his fifth-year option last offseason, which would have paid him around $13 million next season. The franchise tag was scheduled to pay him over $18 million in 2023.
An extension would likely be more team friendly in terms of AAV, but it’s difficult to gauge how the Falcons value McGary. He was very good this past season, but if he regresses back to who he was over his first three years in the league, his next contract could turn out to be a wart on the team’s cap sheet. This will be something to keep an eye on over the next week.
 
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1 minute ago, kiwifalcon said:

IMO not giving him the 5th yr stated the club’s intention on how they feel about McGarry.I’ll be surprised if they go and give this guy a contract.

I don't see why they wouldn't offer him something reasonable, and if they don't I can't imagine what their contingency plan is. They could draft a guy, but drafting a guy into an open roster spot is something that feels more like DT would do than TF. Regardless, he'll probably get better from the market, so it will be interesting to see how the FO handles RT.

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2 minutes ago, ChickenBiscuit said:

So we find a solid tackle and..just let him go ? We have cap space, and that’s a major position, especially with a young QB that needs protection. Not sure what TF is thinking with this one.

Maybe he feels the good doesn’t outweigh the bad. Need to be able to pass in this league 

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7 minutes ago, Pacific_Falcon said:

I don't see why they wouldn't offer him something reasonable, and if they don't I can't imagine what their contingency plan is. They could draft a guy, but drafting a guy into an open roster spot is something that feels more like DT would do than TF. Regardless, he'll probably get better from the market, so it will be interesting to see how the FO handles RT.

Maybe so but why not just give him the 5th yr if you weren’t sure.For me McGarrys body of work gives me a moment of pause.He still has the same issues he’s had from the jump.

I think the FO is looking for more.

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7 minutes ago, ChickenBiscuit said:

So we find a solid tackle and..just let him go ? We have cap space, and that’s a major position, especially with a young QB that needs protection. Not sure what TF is thinking with this one.

Lol The guy is below average in pass pro. How is that helping Ridder……..Think McFly Think

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12 minutes ago, ChickenBiscuit said:

So we find a solid tackle and..just let him go ? We have cap space, and that’s a major position, especially with a young QB that needs protection. Not sure what TF is thinking with this one.

McGary is not even a decent pass blocker. If he were, he'd probably be staying here. But, yes indeed it's going to be extremely interesting to see who they put in his RT slot. 

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They denied 5th yr option at 13mil last year. After a breakout year (for him), he earned an extension. They don't want to pay the 18mil franchise for him thus, leaves them with 2 options. 1. Work out a deal between 13-18 mil. 2. Let someone else pay him. Denying the franchise tag means little to nothing.

Edited by Williamb
Correction
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I can't WAIT for LJ to sign wherever he does. I'm sick of hearing the media trying to force that move.

The only justification they've offered is:

"They went after Watson last year." So what. The only thing those two have in common is being able to clap on beat, but the media is acting like they're carbon copies. Foolery

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