Atlanta, GA
Falcons free agency news: Atlanta re-signs DB Kevin King
Recapping each move the Atlanta Falcons have made since the start of 2025 NFL free agency
Even with the 2025 NFL draft kicking off in less than two weeks, the Atlanta Falcons are still making deals in free agency. On Friday, the team added more depth in the secondary by re-signing veteran defensive back Kevin King. The Falcons also brought back Dee Alford and veteran Mike Hughes, both of whom should return to their starting roles in 2025.
With the draft fast approaching, let’s recap each signing the Falcons have made since the start of the new league year, starting with the most recent moves.
Falcons re-sign DB Kevin King on one-year deal
King returns to Atlanta after appearing in five games for the Falcons last season. He recorded 10 tackles (six solo), one interception and a Pro Football Focus grade of 81.7. King can provide more depth behind starters A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes.
Falcons re-sign nickel DB Dee Alford
Alford returns after testing free agency. The team’s starting nickel corner in 2024 should return to his role in 2025. While the team planned to give Clark Phillips III a look in the slot, Alford likely changes those plans in the immediate future.
According to a report from Aaron Wilson, the Falcons are signing tight end Teagan Quitoriano. The 25-year-old was selected by the Texans in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Oregon State. He spent the last three seasons in Houston, recording nine catches for 146 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 23 career games (15 starts).
Falcons sign kicker Lenny Krieg to 3-year deal
According to a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Atlanta Falcons have signed kicker Lenny Krieg to a three-year contract. The German-born kicker impressed at the NFL’s International Player Pathway program pro day.
Falcons sign KR Jamal Agnew to one-year deal
According to NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo, the Falcons have signed Pro Bowl kick returner Jamal Agnew to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. Agnew previously played for special teams coordinator Marquice Williams in Detroit back in 2020.
Former quarterback-turned-tight end Feleipe Franks has returned to Atlanta. Franks made the Falcons roster as an undrafted free agent in 2021, appearing in nine games as a rookie. Last year, he played in 16 games for the Carolina Panthers.
Vikings sign ex-Falcons WR Rondale Moore
After visiting with four teams in free agency, former Falcons wide receiver Rondale Moore agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings. Moore did not play in a game last season after suffering a season-ending knee injury in training camp.
Falcons sign safety Jordan Fuller, per report
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Falcons are signing veteran safety Jordan Fuller. The 27-year-old reunited with Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, who was Fuller’s defensive coordinator in Los Angeles when the team won the Super Bowl in 2021.
Linebacker Nate Landman has signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams. The former undrafted free agent was not expected to return to Atlanta once the team declined to sign his free agency tender. Landman, 26, has appeared in 36 games over the last three seasons.
On Monday, the Falcons officially announced a handful of moves that had been previously reported and one new signing. The team officially has brought back veteran defensive lineman Kentavius Street. The 28-year-old appeared in 13 games last season for Atlanta and is a good depth addition after losing Grady Jarrett.
Former Chargers defensive lineman Morgan Fox is signing with the Falcons on a two-year, $8.5 million contract, according to a report from the NFL Network. Fox, 30, appeared in all 17 games with three starts last season. For his career, he’s recorded 27.5 sacks, 51 QB hits and 33 tackles for loss.
On Friday, the Falcons signed free agent cornerback Keith Taylor. The former Chiefs DB played in 11 games last season for Kansas City. The former fifth-round pick has appeared in 45 games since entering the league in 2021.
According to a report from NFL insider Dianna Russini, former Falcons running back/return specialist has agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Last season, Williams returned 20 punts for 185 total yards, while returning 15 kickoffs for another 408 yards (27.2 yards per return).
On Thursday, the team announced it had re-signed veteran offensive lineman Brandon Parker. While he didn’t play in a game for Atlanta last season, he can be a versatile depth piece for the team if he makes the 53-man roster in 2025.
According to Norton’s agency, “JL Sports,” the Falcons are giving the veteran lineman a two-year contract. The 30-year-old spent the last two seasons in Atlanta, starting four games.
Atlanta brought back linebacker Josh Woods, who appeared in five games for the team last season. While Woods is primarily a special teams contributor, he’s an experienced veteran who adds depth to a defense that looks fairly thin at the moment. The 28-year-old has played for four different teams over his seven-year NFL career.
The Falcons re-signed veteran offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson on Wednesday. The 30-year-old has played at both guard and tackle and started nine games for Atlanta in 2022. After leaving for the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, Wilkinson returned to Atlanta last season and appeared in two games.
In the third of the Falcons’ Wednesday evening signings, the team brought back veteran offensive lineman Kyle Hinton. The former seventh-round pick has spent the last two seasons in Atlanta, making just one start. He’s a good depth addition to the interior offensive line.
The Falcons have brought back Pro Bowl wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge on a two-year, $6 million contract. Hodge caught the game-winning touchdown to defeat the Buccaneers in Week 5. The veteran also made several plays on special teams, blocking multiple punts in a Week 15 win over the Raiders.
Atlanta agreed to re-sign veteran defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham shortly after the start of the new league year. Graham, a fifth-round pick from the 2021 NFL draft, has appeared in 49 games with 16 starts. The 27-year-old signed a one-year deal, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Falcons agree to terms with CB Mike Ford
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Falcons have agreed to terms with cornerback Mike Ford on a two-year, $4 million contract. Ford played for the team in 2022, appearing in all 17 games with two starts.
Falcons agree to terms with EDGE Leonard Floyd
On Tuesday, the Falcons finally addressed their biggest need, agreeing to terms with veteran edge rusher Leonard Floyd on a reported one-year, $10 million contract. The former first-round pick has recorded at least 8.5 sacks in each of the last five seasons.
Falcons agree to terms with CB Mike Hughes
Hughes, 28, returns to Atlanta on a reported three-year, $18 million contract. The veteran cornerback gives the team more stability in the secondary behind A.J. Terrell. The former first-round pick started 15 games for the Falcons last season and played some of the best football of his career.
Falcons agree to terms with LB Divine Deablo
The Falcons agreed to terms with their first free agent on Tuesday morning. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the team is expected to sign linebacker Divine Deablo to a two-year, $14 million contract. The former third-round pick started 14 games last season for the Raiders. Deablo could be a replacement for Lorenzo Carter, who’s also a free agent.
Richie Grant agrees to terms with San Francisco 49ers
According to a report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, former Falcons second-round pick Richie Grant has agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year deal. Grant, 27, started 32 games for Atlanta from 2022-2023 but lost his job to Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons in 2024. Simmons is also a free agent, although the Falcons may choose to go in a different direction or let DeMarcco Hellams take over at strong safety in 2025.
Grady Jarrett agrees to terms with Chicago Bears
The Falcons lost two starters to the Bears on Monday, with veteran Grady Jarrett following Dalman to Chicago on a reported three-year, $43.5 million contract. Jarrett has spent his entire 10-year career in Atlanta and should benefit from playing with a better supporting cast on the Bears.
Drew Dalman agrees to terms with Chicago Bears
As many predicted, the Falcons have lost starting center Drew Dalman to the Chicago Bears. The Bears signed Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract on Monday afternoon. The deal includes $28 million in guaranteed money. Chicago continues to make big moves under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. The Falcons will now need to find a new starting center.
Falcons release DT Grady Jarrett after 10 seasons
Jarrett was released on Monday morning in one of the NFL’s more shocking pre-free agency moves. While an extension was also possible, the Falcons opted to move on from the face of their defense for the last 10 NFL seasons. Jarrett should have plenty of interest around the league as a free agent. The Falcons freed up $16.2 million by cutting the veteran defensive lineman.
Falcons extend LT Jake Matthews on 2-year deal
Matthews signed a two-year, $45 million extension with the team on Sunday evening. According to Over The Cap’s projections, the team saves around $11 million by extending the veteran left tackle. This was the first major move Atlanta made and makes the team cap compliant in time for the start of the new league year.
Falcons sign long snapper Liam McCullough to extension
While not as big as some of these other moves, the Falcons brought back Liam McCullough on a reported four-year extension last week. McCullough has been a steady part of the Atlanta’s special teams unit for the last three seasons. The 27-year-old has quietly done his job and now gets rewarded with a little more job security.
Check out our latest starting lineup projection for the Falcons ahead of the 2025 NFL draft.
Atlanta, GA
What’s the best possible outcome for Falcons vs. Bucs on Thursday Night Football?
What a weird season this has been for the Falcons, and I absolutely mean that in a bad way. Any hope we had early on was choked out weeks ago. Nothing this team does makes sense, whether it’s getting shut out entirely by the Carolina Panthers or beating the Bills. And normally in a lost season, in a season where we’re looking ahead to 2026 with several weeks left in THIS season, we’d be talking about the Falcons draft position.
Not this year! This year we’d be talking about the RAMS’ draft position in the first round, because the team traded that pick away last year to trade back up into the first and select James Pearce Jr.
I loved the pick. I don’t want anyone to misunderstand me there. We’ve been begging for a pass rush for years, and the defensive rookies on this team have impressed me. And that trade did net the pick that the Falcons used on safety Xavier Watts, who looks to be a very solid addition. But what they gave up are key roster-building picks. And it’ll be a couple of years before we fully know the impact.
This week is going to look slightly different around The Falcoholic because of the short week with the Thursday night game, but there’s still plenty to talk about around this team — including the best case scenario for Thursday night’s game.
On one hand, a win would be less embarrassing for the Falcons and for all of us. That’s always a good thing. It would also be kind of funny if the Buccaneers got knocked out of the postseason by the Panthers. If I can’t enjoy the Falcons I’m going to root for chaos, and a Panthers team that pretty much came out of nowhere to be competitive this season fits that bill. Plus, it’s not like it impacts the Falcons’ draft position for reasons mentioned above.
But on the other hand, I know a lot of fans are on the “Fire Everyone” train and I can’t say I blame y’all. A win on Thursday night would almost certainly delay that, if not derail it entirely. I’ve said all this time that, based on Arthur Blank’s history, I expected Raheem Morris would get another season primarily because of the Falcons’ injuries. Candidly, I hate talking about potential firings. I like and respect these coaches as people. I know Arthur Blank does too, and consistency of leadership is often a hallmark of successful teams so I can understand the thought process of not diving into another coaching staff shakeup this offseason. But the results are the results, and with each loss I feel less and less confident that there’s any path forward here for Raheem Morris and just about everyone else but Jeff Ulbrich.
Scroll down to the comments and let us know what your best case scenario is for Thursday night’s game and why.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta says goodbye to several iconic restaurants faced with soaring costs
Atlanta restaurants shuttering amid economic woes
The grills will soon go cold at several iconic Atlanta hotspots over the next few weeks. Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt, Agave, Eats on Ponce, Dantanna’s in Buckhead, and Alma Cocina’s Buckhead location will all soon be closed.
ATLANTA – The grills will soon go cold at several iconic Atlanta hotspots over the next few weeks.
The owner of Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt in downtown Atlanta says the landlord plans on selling the building, as the cost of doing business has soared.
Other Atlanta restaurants announcing closures include Agave, Eats on Ponce, Dantanna’s in Buckhead, and Alma Cocina’s Buckhead location.
Timeline:
This past Saturday, Dantanna’s in Buckhead closed after two decades.
On December 20, Alma Cocina’s Buckhead location will close their doors.
Eats on Ponce closed on Oct. 18.
Daddy D’z will close at the end of the month after a 35-year run at the intersection of MLK and Memorial Drive, but the owner hopes to eventually re-open at a new location.
Up the road from Daddy D’z, Agave in Cabbagetown says its last day will be January 31.
What they’re saying:
The family that owns Agave cited the “current economic climate and unsustainable conditions.”
Christianah Coker-Jackson, who has owned Daddy D’z for the last eight years, said the landlord who owns the building is looking to sell.
But she also points out running a restaurant has gotten much harder.
“It’s bittersweet. I’m heartbroken,” Christianah Coker-Jackson, owner of Daddy D’z said. “We do see that the prices have increased. We do see that inflation has affected everything.”
The backstory:
Reshma Shah, a marketing professor at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, said small restaurants face an uphill battle with inflation sending costs up.
“You’ve got restaurants with labor costs going up, rent costs going up, food costs, of course, going up,” Reshma Shah, Emory marketing professor, said. “And the last thing you want to do is cut quality.”
She said patrons are also tightening their belts this holiday season.
“Consumers are really having to make a decision between do we want to go out? Do we want to buy presents?” Shah said.
What’s next:
Daddy D’z is in negotiations to open a new location, but nothing is final.
“I’m sad. Now I have to find someone else to go with mom. And to get some good barbecue!” Bertitta Marshall, Daddy D’z regular, said. “Where can you find that type of interaction, a family atmosphere that’s welcoming?”
The last day of business in the current building will be New Year’s Eve.
“They always say when God closes one door, he opens up the ceiling. So I’m just waiting for my celing” Coker-Jackson said.
The Source: This article is based on original reporting by FOX 5’s Rob DiRienzo. Previosu FOX 5 Atlanta reporting was also used.
Atlanta, GA
Family-owned Atlanta restaurant closing doors for good in January after 25 years in business
After 25 years in business, a popular family-owned restaurant in Atlanta’s Cabbagetown neighborhood will close its doors for good in 2026.
Agave Restaurant announced the upcoming closure on Instagram, saying that its last day of business will be on Jan. 31.
The owners of the restaurant, which sits on Boulevard SE close to Oakland Cemetery, said that the “current economic climate and unsustainable conditions” were the reasons behind shutting down the business.
“This decision was not made lightly, but as our family looks toward a new chapter, we find it is time to say goodbye. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support, laughter-filled dinners, and the privilege of being part of your celebrations and everyday moments for a quarter of a century,” the Instagram post reads.
According to Agave’s website, Arizona-native and founder Jack Soble started the restaurant in 2000 after noticing Atlanta lacked some of the flavors he grew up with.
In a GoFundMe he opened to support the restaurant’s staff, Soble said that he sold his car and stocks, and emptied his son’s college fund to attempt to keep the restaurant going.
“I have poured all of our family resources into paying off back debt to accountants, paper and chemical suppliers and food purveyors. We have also had to put well over $100,000 into new equipment and repair deficiencies in regards to the historic building including plumbing and electrical. Also, the astronomical loss of sales due to continuous flooding that the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management can’t seem to repair has been staggering,” Soble wrote.
Soble is asking Atlanta residents to continue supporting Agave until their final day. The restaurant will still accept all outstanding gift cards until that time.
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