Drew Dalman Wants To Re-Sign With Falcons

For the past three seasons, Drew Dalman has operated as the Falcons’ starting center. His rookie contract is set to expire in March, however, leaving a free agent departure as a possibility.

If Dalman has his way, he will remain with the team for 2025 and beyond. The 26-year-old hopes to re-sign, as noted by D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. Working out a new deal will be expensive for the Falcons given Dalman’s level of play once he ascended to the top of the depth chart.

After logging only 68 offensive snaps during his rookie season, the former fourth-rounder took over as Atlanta’s center starter. Dalman played a full season in 2022, drawing a 65.9 PFF grade. That figure was good for 14th amongst qualifying players at the position, but the past two seasons have seen stronger performances. The Stanford product ranked third in PFF grade at the center spot in 2023, and he followed that up with the fourth-best mark this past campaign.

Dalman did so while missing three games in 2023, and an ankle injury limited him to just nine contests this year. That could hinder his value on the open market, but on the other hand his age and contributions to a strong Falcons O-line could make him one of the more attractive options on the market this spring. Atlanta is among the teams currently projected to be over the cap for 2025, and a decision on quarterback Kirk Cousins will need to be made shortly. How the Falcons proceed on that front will of course be central in determining their overall financial outlook and their ability to approach the top of a center market which includes four players earning at least $12MM per year.

Atlanta’s other offensive line starters (left tackle Jake Matthews, left guard Matthew Bergeron, right guard Chris Lindstrom and right tackle Kaleb McGary) are all under contract through at least 2025. While Matthews and McGary do not have any guaranteed salary remaining on their pacts, the Falcons could thus opt for another year of continuity up front at four positions even in the event Dalman were to depart. Ryan Neuzil stepped in for Dalman in 2024, but he is a pending restricted free agent.

A number of veteran centers are on track to reach the open market this year, but Dalman’s age (like that of the Packers’ Josh Myers) could make suitors willing to prepare a long-term investment in March. It will be interesting to see if the Falcons prevent that from happening with a contract agreement being reached before then, or if they will turn their attention to other positions.