After missing the playoffs for seven years in a row, the Atlanta Falcons are entering the 2025 NFL season with a lot to prove. Head coach Raheem Morris will look to second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and what should be an explosive offense to finally end the postseason drought.
Aside from center Drew Dalman, the majority of Atlanta’s offense is set to return in 2025. Starting tackles Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary are back to bookend one of the better offensive lines in the league. Check out our post-draft preview of the team’s offensive tackles below:
Left tackle depth chart
Advertisement
Matthews has been solid throughout his 11-year career in Atlanta. The team will lean on the 33-year-old to start at left tackle once again in Year 12. While the Falcons did not commit major resources to the offensive tackle position, they did nab 6-foot-7 rookie Jack Nelson in the seventh round of the draft. Nelson excels as a zone-blocker and should be a good developmental prospect behind Matthews.
Right tackle depth chart
McGary will lead the way yet again in 2025. The former first-round pick has been a reliable part of Atlanta’s offensive line and a monster in the run game. While McGary will be under more pressure this season with lefty Michael Penix Jr. taking over at quarterback, he’s steadily improved as a pass blocker since entering the league in 2019. Storm Norton is a quality backup who’s played well when called upon in the past.
2025 salary cap hits
Kaleb McGary: $16,500,000
Jake Matthews: $13,273,713
Brandon Parker: $1,030,000
Tyrone Wheatley Jr.: $960,000
Jordan Williams: $843,333
Advertisement
Matthews lowered his cap hit for 2025 when he signed a two-year, $45 million extension just before the start of NFL free agency. That leaves McGary as the team’s highest-paid offensive tackle this season with a cap hit of $16.5 million. Norton will make the third-most this season ($1.5 million) and the rest top out at $1 million. Overall, the team is paying over $30 million to its top three offensive tackles.
Top free agents available:
Fant was released by the Seahawks and has starting experience. If the team ends up needing an offensive tackle, he would have to be high on the list. There aren’t many good options available in free agency this late in the offseason, but Andrus Peat and Isaiah Wynn are potential targets.
Predictions/expectations for 2025
As you can see, the Falcons have a pretty good situation at tackle. Not only do they have two capable starters in Matthews and McGary, but they have a quality swing tackle in Storm Norton and a promising rookie in Jack Nelson. With there being change at the center position, the entire line will have to step up. One thing to watch this season is how McGary holds up as Penix Jr.’s blind-side protector.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons offensive tackle preview: Jake Matthews, Kaleb McGary return