The Atlanta Falcons cleaned house today adding $15.4 million salary cap space in the process.
At the time of the cuts, the Falcons only had $14.5 million to spend on possible free agency acquisitions and future picks in the draft. After a pedestrian 7-9 season, the 2016 NFC Champions are looking at a huge overhaul in the offseason.
Alford was the first name ripped from the roster. After a disappointing season filled with blown coverages and penalties, the Falcons decided to give young 2018 second-round cornerback Isaiah Oliver the chance all the while freeing up $7.9 million to spend elsewhere.
Then came the most shocking move of all when the team cut their all-time leading scorer Bryant freeing up $2,833,332 toward the cap. Missing only one field goal attempt last year, this comes as a shocking decision as this year proved why having a great leg was valuable as the quality of field goal kicking was under-par compared to year’s past.
The Falcons as of right now will be going with the younger, cheaper 28-year old Giorgio Tavecchio who made all five kicks he attempted when called to replace Bryant after an injury.
Bryant tweeted out a message to Atlanta fans after being informed of his release.
#theshowmustgoon pic.twitter.com/J63iycYTSY
— matt bryant (@Matt_Bryant3) February 6, 2019
The great placekicker has made 86.2 percent of his 450 attempted kicks, making 388 of them.
The third and final move saw the Falcons cutting Reed. The now former Houston Texan and Falcon’s statistics declined dramatically from 2017 to 2018 recording only 24 tackles this season compared to last season with 39. This season was also the first campaign Reed recorded less than two sacks in his NFL career.
The linebacker was not able to halve his production when it came to the sack numbers. In his four years with the Houston Texans, Reed recorded 14.5 sacks and in these past three seasons with the Falcons, he recorded only seven.
The Falcons appear to be more content by going with a cheaper option to back up Takkarist McKinley, as cutting Reed saves the Falcons $4.5 million in cap space.
Starting at $14.5 million today, the Falcons now have $29.7 million to work with to sign free agents and work on deals to keep key members Grady Jarrett and Tevin Coleman.
