Falcons Free Up Additional Cap Space; Is Another Move on the Horizon?
The Falcons have been active in reshaping their roster throughout the offseason. Their moves started with the hiring of Raheem Morris and quickly escalated with Kirk Cousins’ $180 million free-agent contract. On the same day, they also secured Darnell Mooney with a $39 million deal.
After a brief period of inactivity, the Falcons made waves by drafting Michael Penix Jr., which surprised the entire NFL. Although there was another lull, the Falcons made a significant move by trading for Matthew Judon. Before that transaction could even settle, they added Justin Simmons on a one-year free-agent contract. These moves have significantly restructured the Falcons’ defense, and they might not be finished yet.
With 52 players currently on their roster, one shy of the standard 53-man limit, the Falcons have just freed up more cap space by converting $11.25 million of Jessie Bates III’s 2024 base salary into a signing bonus.
#Falcons converted Jessie Bates III contract, converting $11.25 million of his 2024 base salary into a signing bonus for salary cap purposes, per a league source, lowering his salary-cap figure to $10.008 million. Cap figures of $22.25 million, $22.27 million 2025, 2026 @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 4, 2024
It’s highly likely that a practice squad player will be promoted before Sunday’s season opener against the Steelers, and this extra cap space may simply serve as a precaution for the season.
Nonetheless, there is a chance that the additional cap space could be used to acquire another player, potentially a cornerback or wide receiver, which are considered the weakest positions in the Falcons’ starting lineup.
While this scenario seems improbable, rationality isn’t always the focus for Falcons fans, is it?