They can save a further $6.5 million by cutting Jonnu Smith, and his fate may depend on whether Arthur Smith is still here in 2024. The veteran quarterback doesn’t figure to be in the team’s plans as their 2024 backup-I’m expecting that to be Desmond Ridder-and the Falcons save $7 million with just $2 million in dead money to move on. The likeliest is probably cutting Taylor Heinicke. There are avenues to clear more space, should they want to.
The Falcons currently are set to have $37 million in cap space, which is good for 19th in the league and will give them enough room to sign a major name and fill out the roster. Given that, this seems like a logical time to take a brief look at what’s ahead this offseason for the Falcons. No, I don’t think that’s particularly likely, and their fortunes the rest of the way are secondary to what they can and will do to fix an underachieving, frustrating team. Yes, they could win two or three games and make the playoffs, especially after the Saints were embarrassed by the Rams on Thursday Night Football in Week 16. The Atlanta Falcons are playing out the string.
