With the 2022 NFL season taking shape, the roster is set to have more turnovers than a bakery with free agents coming in, going out and draft picks staking their place on the roster.
Who else is on the hot seat? Who will receive a pink slip? Follow along with FalconReport.com for up-to-date information on all the moves.
JULY 11 INJURY UPDATE Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver is still working his way back from his 2021 ACL tear and surgery, with ESPN reporting on an “on-track” rehab.
“Just make sure you’re keeping him right and in a good head space,” cornerback AJ Terrell said. “And just letting him know that we got him and just taking care of his body and get back as soon as possible.”
The injury won’t likely allow him to start right up at camp. But Oliver is taking the right approach.
“I essentially get, like, a re-do,” Oliver said. “I get that year over again, being in the same system with the same team and the same guys.”
JULY 7 HAWKINS CUT In a corresponding move to sign defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, the Falcons cut Michigan defensive back Brad Hawkins, per sources.
Hawkins was viewed as a quality undrafted free agent and signed with Atlanta shortly after the draft. Now, the former Wolverine will get a chance to sign with one of the 31 other teams in the league before training camp kicks off later this month.
JULY 6 NEW DT The Atlanta Falcons’ Bears connection continues as they are signing veteran nose tackle Eddie Goldman to a one-year deal, as NFL insider Jordan Schultz first reported.
Goldman, 28, started in Chicago as a second-round pick in 2015. In 2021, he started 14 games serving as an interior run-stopper.
JULY 6 BAKER TRADED TO PANTHERS The Carolina Panthers acquired quarterback Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2024 conditional fifth-round pick. NFL Network was the first to report the news.
Now, the Falcons are expected to face Mayfield twice in 2022, both in Weeks 8 & 10.
JUNE 30 FALCONS SIGN BRADLEY PINION The Atlanta Falcons added to their special teams unit Thursday, signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers punter Bradley Pinion, per NFL Network.
Pinion, a fifth-round pick in 2015, spent four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before playing the last three with the Bucs. He won a ring with the Bucs in Super Bowl LV.
Now, Pinion is likely to become the starter over Dom Maggio and undrafted free agent Seth Vernon.
JUNE 27 AP FIGHTING BELL Former Pro Bowl running backs Adrian Peterson and Le'Veon Bell are turning their helmets in for some boxing gloves at the end of July.
On July 30, Peterson is set to fight Bell at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Peterson and Bell are on the undercard at Social Gloves 2, a boxing event promoted by YouTubers and celebrities for exhibition matches.
JUNE 18 FALCONS ANNOUNCE TRAINING CAMP DATES The Atlanta Falcons have announced that training camp will run from July 29 through August 25.
The organization is hosting a fan event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Aug. 15.
JUNE 14 FALCONS TRY OUT SIX FREE AGENTS The Atlanta Falcons held a tryout Tuesday for six free agents: WR Emeka Emezie, OL Adam Coon, OL Jonathan Harrison, ILB Dakota Allen, DL Jalen Dalton, and DL Isaiah Buggs.
The Falcons will hold another practice for minicamp Wednesday.
JUNE 13 PRESEASON TV SCHEDULE SET The Atlanta Falcons have officially released their preseason schedule and the national TV schedule has been announced. Here's a look at the three games:
Week 1 @ Detroit Lions – Fri. Aug 12, 6 p.m. – NFL Network
Week 2 @ New York Jets – Mon. Aug 22 (Monday Night Football), 8 p.m. – ESPN
Week 3 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – Sat. Aug 27, 3 p.m. – NFL Network
The Falcons and Jaguars will have mixed practices in the days leading up to the third and final preseason game.
JUNE 3 BULLARD TO MINNY The Minnesota Vikings have signed former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Jonathan Bullard.
Bullard is set to make just over $1 million this season, a slight raise from his Falcons contract at $990,000.
Bullard returns to the NFC North after being drafted by the Chicago Bears and spending the 2016-18 seasons in the Windy City.
By joining Minnesota, Bullard has played for five organizations in as many seasons.
JUNE 2 FITZ RETIRES Journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has retired from the NFL, according to a tweet from his former teammate Fred Jackson.
Fitzpatrick played for nine teams during his 17-year NFL career. He played for the St. Louis Rams (2005-06), Cincinnati Bengals (2007-08), Buffalo Bills (2009-12), Tennessee Titans (2013), Houston Texans (2014), New York Jets (2015-16), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017-18), Miami Dolphins (2019-20) and the Washington Football Team (2021).
JUNE 1 NEW MADDEN COVER For the first time since 2000, John Madden will grace the cover of the video game named after him.
The Hall of Fame coach and broadcaster passed away in December at the age of 85.
Madden 23 is set to come out this August.
MAY 29 NO AB IN '22 Free agent wide receiver Antonio Brown will not play in the NFL in the 2022 season, he said in an interview on a live broadcast of the Fan Controlled Football League.
Brown infamously quit in the middle of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game in December against the New York Jets and was cut shortly after.
Brown, a Super Bowl champion and 4-time All-Pro receiver, didn't officially retire but it's very possible he has played his final down in the NFL.
MAY 26 DB TO RB The Atlanta Falcons are taking the idea of "position flex'' to another level by moving slot cornerback Avery Williams from defense to offense.
The newest addition to the running back room, Williams was drafted in the fifth round last year out of Boise State. In 15 games played last year, he recorded 22 combined tackles, one pass defensed and one forced fumble, but was especially notable as a returner. Williams – who played running back in high school – returned 20 punts for 153 yards and 23 kicks for 490 yards.
Now, how does he get snaps in a backfield already featuring the likes of Cordarrelle Patterson, Damien Williams, Qadree Ollison, Caleb Huntley, Tyler Allgeier and Jeremy McNichols? That's the next challenge.
Training camp is just around the corner.
Which Falcons wide receivers will make an impact in fantasy football this year?
Drafting this player in round two was the highlight of an all-around solid offseason for Atlanta.
MAY 25 KAEPERNICK TO WORKOUT FOR RAIDERS The Las Vegas Raiders are hosting quarterback Colin Kaepernick for a workout.
Kaepernick gained praise and scrutiny for kneeling during the national anthem in the 2016 NFL season, the last year he played in the NFL.
Kaepernick, 34, spent the 2011-16 seasons with the Niners.
MAY 25 FALCONS SIGN MALONE The Atlanta Falcons agreed to terms with another member of their rookie class Tuesday, signing third-round rookie DeAngelo Malone, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network.
Malone signed a 4 year, $5,229,582 contract with the Atlanta Falcons and is set to make a base salary of $705,000 in his rookie season.
MAY 23 COLTS SIGN FOLES The Indianapolis Colts have agreed to terms with former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles.
Foles will reunite with former offensive coordinator Frank Reich in Indy and is set to back up former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.
MAY 16 FALCONS SIGN EX-PACKERS WR Monday morning, the Falcons signed six-year NFL veteran wide receiver Geronimo Allison.
Allison spent the first four seasons of his career with the Green Bay Packers, followed by one injury-filled season in 2021 with the Detroit Lions.
In his first five years in the league, Allison has caught 89 passes for 1,045 yards and six touchdowns.
MAY 14 FALCONS CUT PAIR OF VETS The Atlanta Falcons waived 2019 fourth-round pick CB Kendall Sheffield and tight end Ryan Becker.
Sheffield spent three seasons with the Falcons, but saw his playing time diminish each season. Last year, Sheffield played in just nine of 17 games in a reserve role, recording a meager four tackles.
Becker has been an on-and-off member of the team since signing in April 2021. However, he was not on the active roster during the season.
MAY 13 FALCONS GET WR The Falcons have acquired Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Bryan Edwards in a trade, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Edwards, a 2020 third-round pick from South Carolina, started 12 games last season for the Raiders, catching 34 passes for 571 yards and three touchdowns.
Edwards has two years left on his rookie deal and will compete for a starting spot alongside Auden Tate and Olamide Zacchaeus.
The Raiders are also sending a 2023 seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round pick.
MAY 12 ROOKIE DEALS First-round pick Drake London heads up the list of the day's signings. The 6-foot-4 wide receiver out of USC is on board, along with BYU running back Tyler Allgeier. Also under contract now: Georgia tight end John FitzPatrick and O-lineman Justin Shaffer.
MAY 12 SHARPE SIGNS ELSEWHERE Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Tajae Sharpe has signed with the Chicago Bears.
Sharpe played in 15 games last season for the Falcons, catching 25 passes for 230 yards.
With Sharpe out of Atlanta, Auden Tate and Olamide Zacchaeus are expected to see their roles grow.
MAY 5 KWIATKOSKI VISITS According to NFL Network, the Atlanta Falcons are hosting veteran linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski for a visit Thursday.
Kwiatkoski, who turns 29 later this month, spent the past two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders after four seasons with the Chicago Bears.
The seven-year veteran played in just eight games in a reserve role for the Raiders last season after starting in all 12 of his appearances the year before.
MAY 5 JERRY JONES HOSPITALIZED Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was reportedly involved in a car accident in Dallas Wednesday evening.
Jones, who turns 80 in October, was transported to Parkland Hospital as a precaution.
His injuries were not believed to be serious, and he was released after a short time.
MAY 3 MINICAMP DATES SET The Falcons will be holding Rookie Minicamp from May 13-15.
Offseason workouts (OTA) will be conducted from May 24-26, June 1-3, and June 6-9.
Mandatory Minicamp will be held from June 14-16.
MAY 2 HONEY BADGER HEADS HOME Just days after the NFL Draft, it was revealed that the New Orleans Saints are expected to sign safety Tyrann Mathieu in the coming days.
Mathieu, a New Orleans native, spent the last three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and was part of the Super Bowl LV championship team.
Now, he's set to join the Atlanta Falcons' biggest rival and face them twice per year.
APR 22 SENAT TO BUCS The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are signing defensive lineman Deadrin Senat to a one-year deal, according to Pro Football Network's Aaron Wilson.
Senat was drafted by the Falcons in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft and played primarily sparingly for the first three years of the deal.
His best season came in 2018 when he started two games and played 15, amassing 30 tackles. However, he struggled to see the field in 2019 and 2020, playing in just seven games out of a possible 32.
This past season, Senat was placed on injured reserve during training camp and was released in early November.
Now, Senat gets a second shot at his NFL career, remaining in the NFC South and returning to the city where his collegiate career took place.
APR 21 MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The NFL announced Thursday that the league's schedule would be fully released on May 12.
While the full schedule releases next month, the NFL will reveal parts of the schedule a little earlier, beginning next week during the NFL Draft with the first Thursday Night Football matchup on Amazon Prime Video.
International games will be revealed Wednesday, May 4, and the Falcons aren't expected to participate since they played a home game in London last season.
And select games will be revealed during the week of May 9 leading up to the full schedule release Thursday night.
