The Atlanta Falcons re-signed wide receiver and special teams standout KhaDarel Hodge, coming off a Pro Bowl selection, to a two-year, $5.5 million contract last offseason. He had a disappointing 2025 campaign, having minimal impact on offense, recording the second-fewest receptions and receiving yards of his career, seeing his special teams production and snaps dip, and battling an injury. Hodge caught three passes on ten targets for 31 yards across 12 games, along with nine special teams tackles, and posted a 63.5 special teams grade over 219 snaps. He missed five games due to a shoulder injury, which ultimately landed him on injured reserve.
Hodge is scheduled to earn a non-guaranteed $2.4 million base salary, a per-game bonus totaling $340,000, and a $3.265 million cap charge in 2026, per Over The Cap.
Atlanta Falcons move on from Pro Bowler
Atlanta Falcons, KhaDarel Hodge
Feb 1, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons special teams player KhaDarel Hodge (12) takes photos with a Sony a7 III during NFC Practice for the Pro Bowl Games at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
According to Jordan Schultz, the Falcons have informed Pro Bowl special teams standout KhaDarel Hodge that he will be released after four seasons with the team. As a result, the front office frees $2.64 million while incurring $625,000 in dead cap, leaving roughly $14 million in cap space. Hodge should garner interest from teams in need of special teams help, who are in desperate need of a gunner and punt blocker.
Sources: The #Falcons informed former Pro Bowl special-teamer KhaDarel Hodge that he will be released.
Hodge spent four years in Atlanta, including that Pro Bowl season in 2024. pic.twitter.com/qVEfOvaSnT
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 25, 2026
Falcons fans are saddened by the news
Atlanta Falcons, fans
Oct 13, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Falcons fans during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
NOOOO
— Rohan (@DirtyBirdz11) February 25, 2026
wow
— Marwan (@m10262825) February 25, 2026
Rip to a falcons legend
— kev (@ATLhopefull) February 25, 2026
Appreciate the hustle, KhaDrel! Next stop, where’ll you land? 🚀
— گمنام (@Hasnain1272) February 25, 2026
Gonna miss my boy and his IG posts. pic.twitter.com/Zo6xnmzANp
— 👑Red Dirt Duke👑 (@Duke_Lucas_) February 25, 2026
excuse me??? why???
— Chino.DB (@DirtyBirdChino) February 25, 2026
@laurynsage Kind of shocked by this. But it just means Ian isn’t playing around!
— grando ✞ (@justgrando) February 25, 2026
Nooooo, our special teams goat
— THE GRUB GOD (@CertifiedFatGuy) February 25, 2026
Hodge was solid on special teams, tough to see go
— Chicharito I HyroTrader (@xfatchicharito) February 25, 2026
Cap move that makes sense on paper, but you don’t replace special teams impact that easily.
— No Feelings FC (@huzzmahny) February 25, 2026
Also Read: “He’s Back” Falcons Officially Rehire Matt Ryan In Shocking News Report (Breaking)