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EspañolThe Atlanta Falcons are busy at the NFL Scouting Combine, but without a first-round pick in the 2026 draft, the team will need to rely more on free agency. On Tuesday, the Falcons made two key roster decisions that could define their offseason.
The team officially used the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts, keeping the former top-five pick in Atlanta for one more year at least. That wasn't all, though. Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham also confirmed that the team plans to release quarterback Kirk Cousins at the start of the new league year on March 11.
Cousins spent two seasons in Atlanta but did not live up to the massive contract he signed in 2024. Despite having two years left on his deal, the veteran quarterback is headed for free agency next month. The team is also expected to release wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge.
The Falcons still need to make key decisions on players like linebacker Kaden Elliss, edge Arnold Ebiketie and running back Tyler Allgeier. However, Cunningham did not make it sound like bringing back Elliss was a priority for the team.
"He is a guy we are obviously evaluating and thinking there are a lot of linebackers in this market," Cunningham said of Elliss. "I feel like we have to really look at our cap situation and our roster moving forward."
The Falcons have just $10.1 million available after using the franchise tag on Pitts. With that in mind, let's take a look at the team's updated list of free agents.
Falcons' offensive free agents in 2026
- QB Kirk Cousins (to be released)
- WR KhaDarel Hodge (to be released)
- OL Elijah Wilkinson
- RB Tyler Allgeier
- WR David Sills V
- TE Feleipe Franks
- TE Teagan Quitoriano
Falcons' defensive free agents in 2026
- LB Kaden Elliss
- LB Leonard Floyd
- DT David Onyemata
- CB Dee Alford
- LB Troy Andersen
- LB Arnold Ebiketie
- LB DeAngelo Malone
- LB Josh Woods
Falcons' special teams free agents in 2026
- P Bradley Pinion
- K Zane Gonzalez
As you can see, the Falcons don't have a huge number of free agents, but there are a few important players this team should look to re-sign in 2026. Starting kicker Zane Gonzalez and punter Bradley Pinion are headed for free agency, along with edge Arnold Ebiketie and defensive lineman David Onyemata.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: 2026 Falcons free agent tracker: Kyle Pitts in, Kirk Cousins out