The Atlanta Falcons aren’t in ideal shape with the salary cap, but they need to start locking up their young talent. Players like Drake London and Bijan Robinson are coming off career years and it won’t be long before their rookie contracts are up.
Both players will be eligible for a fifth-year option — London’s coming in 2026 and Robinson’s in 2027 — and the team will almost certainly exercise them. However, getting a long-term extension done will help the Falcons plan for the future around talented quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Pro Football Network analyzed the biggest question facing each team’s wide receiver group. For Atlanta, PFN recommended the team focus on extending London before he gets too expensive:
The wide receiver market has steadily risen in recent years, and the likes of Chase, Tee Higgins, and Garrett Wilson will only push that market higher. London’s game fits beautifully with Michael Penix Jr.’s inclination to push the ball downfield. In Penix’s starts the final three weeks, London averaged 117 yards per game while receiving an absurd 39.4% target rate.
For context, the highest target rate for the season was 38.3% by Puka Nacua. Given London’s strong chemistry with Penix, the Falcons would be wise to extend him before his asking price rises even higher. — Pro Football Network
London posted 100 catches for 1,271 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last season. The 23-year-old showed great chemistry with Penix down the stretch, recording 17 catches for 293 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the final two games.
The addition of wide receiver Darnell Mooney also played a role in opening things up for London’s first 1,000-yard season of his career. Mooney nearly topped the milestone himself in 2024 but finished eight yards short (992 total) after sitting out of the season finale.
The Falcons will need to manage the cap around Penix better than they did when Matt Ryan was still in Atlanta. Kirk Cousins‘ contract has only made things worse, but it should only affect the team for one more season.