Falcons' Free Agency Shakeup: Pitts Tagged, Cousins Cut

0:00You're listening to NFL News Today. Subscribe now for fast daily updates on your team. The Atlanta Falcons face a massive free agency shake-up next week, with over half their roster hitting the market. Their new coach, Kevin Stofanski, and general manager, Ian Cunningham, must find a veteran quarterback, beef up the thin wide receiver group, ad, linebackers and defensive backs, and build overall depth before the NFL draft in late April. Free agency kicks off with teams talking to players starting March 9th, and official signings allowed for March 11th. The Falcons move fast by slapping the franchise tag on Titan Kyle Pitts, locking him into a one-year deal worth $15,100,000 fully guaranteed. They are also cutting quarterback Kirk Cousins before March 13th, eating $35 million in deadcap money that can spread over two years. That hit stems from his two-year $90 million total payout with Atlanta, widely seen as one of the league's worst deals.

1:00Meanwhile, special teams stand out Cotaro Hodge is out, saving $3,300,000. The team sits 17th in salary cap space at $8,900,000, but could free up around 50 million with moves. Fans feel the sting from losing a popular player like Hodge, while the Cousins' dead money limits big splashes right away. Rumors are swirling, too, with talk of Miami's two-etaggle Veloah landing in Atlanta, linebacker Caden Ellis heading to Carolina, and interest in Denver's. John Franklin Myers at possibly $20 million per year, as the new regime settles in, expect a busy March reshaping the roster. This story is made possible by our sponsor. Podcasts hit different when the sound comes from your pillow. Once you try it, it just makes sense. S-O-L-I-SoliPillo.com.