Updated March 9, 2026, 12:38 a.m. ET

The 2026 NFL free agency period is nearly upon us, and for the Atlanta Falcons, it’s a chance for the new regime to prove that there is a clear direction and collective vision for this franchise going forward.

President of football Matt Ryan, general manager Ian Cunningham and head coach Kevin Stefanski certainly have their work cut out for them. Currently, the Falcons have just $8 million in cap space available, but that number will likely go up before free agency begins.

A handful of key players, including running back Tyler Allgeier, edge Arnold Ebiketie and linebacker Kaden Elliss, are set to become free agents on March 11. Which players will Atlanta attempt to re-sign? How does each move affect the team’s salary cap?

Follow each Falcons roster addition, departure and rumor with our 2026 NFL free agency live tracker below.

2026 NFL Free Agency infoLegal Tampering Window: March 9 (starts at 12 p.m. ET)Free Agency/New League Year: March 11 (starts at 4 p.m. ET)Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Falcons to cut WR Darnell Mooney (reported March 5)

“The Falcons are planning to release WR Darnell Mooney, sources say, with Mooney set to count $18.4M against the salary cap,” wrote NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. “Mooney, still just 28, has averaged better than 13 yards per catch in each of the last three seasons.”

According to Over The Cap’s projections, releasing Mooney will free up around $7.4 million while incurring a dead cap total of $11 million. However, the team would free up about $12 million if Mooney is released with a post-June 1 designation.

Falcons to cut WR KhaDarel Hodge (reported Feb. 25)

According to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Hodge has been informed that he will be released. The former Pro Bowler has spent the last four seasons in Atlanta. The team will free up $2,640,000 by cutting Hodge, while incurring a dead cap hit of $625,000, via Over the Cap’s projections.

Falcons to cut QB Kirk Cousins on March 11

The Falcons are releasing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins on the first day of the new league year. Cutting Cousins will free up over $2 million in cap space, while adding $22.5 million to the team’s dead money total.

Falcons current salary cap total: $8 million

According to Over The Cap‘s latest projections, the Falcons have $8,000,319 heading into free agency. This does not include the additional money the team will free up from cutting Darnell Mooney and KhaDarel Hodge.

Falcons projected dead money total in 2026: $38,785,354Kirk Cousins (projected): $22.5 millionDarnell Mooney (projected): $11 millionDavid Onyemata: $2,425,000 millionYounghoe Koo: $$1,250,000KhaDarel Hodge (projected): $625,000Morgan Fox: $750,000Falcons’ offensive free agentsQB Kirk Cousins (to be released)WR KhaDarel Hodge (to be released)WR Darnell Mooney (to be released)OL Elijah WilkinsonRB Tyler AllgeierWR David Sills VTE Feleipe FranksTE Teagan QuitorianoFalcons defensive free agentsLB Kaden EllissLB Leonard FloydDT David OnyemataCB Dee AlfordLB Troy AndersenLB Arnold EbiketieLB DeAngelo MaloneLB Josh WoodsFalcons special teams free agentsP Bradley PinionK Zane Gonzalez

Check back soon for more Falcons free agency updates ahead of the 2026 NFL season.