Drake London
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Falcons' general manager Ian Cunningham provided an update on the team's contract extension talks with Drake London
The Atlanta Falcons have been shaking things up this offseason. While the team seems set to remain committed to Michael Penix Jr. as its starting quarterback, the Falcons have made several moves across the roster, while also changing up the makeup of their front office, with former quarterback Matt Ryan and Ian Cunningham set to spearhead this department in 2026 and beyond.
Ryan and Cunningham have their work cut out for them, with one of their biggest decisions revolving around the future of wide receiver Drake London. After another stellar campaign, London is in need of a new contract, and Cunningham recently provided a major update on the Falcons’ quest to keep him in town.
Ian Cunningham Issues Important Drake London Contract Update
The Falcons selected London with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and while he hasn’t always been the beneficiary of great quarterback play, he’s still managed to produce at a high level to begin his career. In fact, if it weren’t for injuries, the 2025 campaign likely would have been the best of London’s young career.
London posted a breakout campaign in 2024 when he racked up 100 receptions for 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns. In just 12 games last season, though, London caught 68 passes for 919 yards and seven touchdowns, so had he managed to play in five more games, he likely would have set career-highs in several different categories.
In 2026, London will be entering the final year of his rookie contract, meaning that he is in line for a big-money contract extension this offseason. To this point, there hasn’t been much momentum when it comes to signing London to a new deal, but it sounds like Cunningham and the rest of the front office is hard at work trying to get something done here.
“I think it’s top of mind,” Cunningham said of London’s contract situation, per Tori McElhaney of the team’s official website. “I think all of these type of decisions are top of mind just in terms of you know its coming, but right now we are really focused on this wave of free agency, we have the draft coming — but don’t think for one second that that hasn’t been thought of. Don’t think for one second that we aren’t already thinking about all of these different things moving forward.”
Falcons Running Out of Time to Extend Drake London
Drake London
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 16: Drake London #5 of the Atlanta Falcons runs after a catch during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
While London has yet to be selected to a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team, that’s largely due to the poor quarterback play he has had to endure to begin his career. When the ball is in London’s proximity, he’s usually hauling it in, as he has the ability to make plays at all three levels of the field. It’s clear that, with Penix continuing to man the quarterback position, keeping London around is crucial for the Falcons.
London isn’t going to get the sort of four-year, $168.6 million contract extension the Seattle Seahawks handed Jaxon Smith-Njigba earlier this offseason, but he should be able to come in fairly close to that figure. In a perfect world, Atlanta would resolve this situation this offseason, so look for Cunningham and the front office to step up their efforts to get this deal to the finish line as soon as possible.