March 5, 2026, 3:23 p.m. ET
According to a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Atlanta Falcons are not tendering restricted free-agent defensive lineman Sam Roberts ahead of 2026 NFL free agency. The team signed the former sixth-round pick off of the Carolina Panthers‘ practice squad last season.
Roberts appeared in five games (one start) for the Falcons in 2025, recording 18 tackles (six solo), one sack and two QB hits. Per Garafolo, Roberts will officially become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins.
“The Falcons are not tendering DL Sam Roberts as a restricted free agent,” Garafolo reported Thursday afternoon. “The former sixth-round pick of the Patriots, whom Atlanta signed off the Panthers’ practice squad last September, will be an unrestricted free agent.”
The 27-year-old was placed on the injured reserve list in Week 11 due to knee and ankle injuries. Over his four NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots and Falcons, Roberts has appeared in 20 games with two career starts.
The Falcons are getting their roster in order before the start of the 2026 NFL free agency period on March 11. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team is planning to release wide receiver Darnell Mooney after two seasons in Atlanta.
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The Falcons are also set to release veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on the first day of the new league year.
