The Atlanta Falcons signed Kaleb McGary to a two-year, $30 million contract extension with $17.99 million guaranteed and a $4.5 million signing bonus last offseason. Unfortunately, the blindside protector suffered a significant left leg injury on the final day of training camp, causing the Falcons to place him on season-ending injured reserve. Elijah Wilkinson took over as the starting right tackle, where he started every game and accounted for 100% of offensive snaps.
The 31-year-old McGary is in the first year of his deal and is scheduled to earn a fully guaranteed $13.49 million base salary, $14 million in cash, and a $14.99 millon cap hit in 2026. Additionally, he is set to earn a $14.49 million base salary, $15 million in cash, and a $16.5 million cap hit in 2027, per Over The Cap.
Atlanta Falcons see key offensive starter retire after 7 seasons
USATSI 24371288 168400517 lowres scaled
Sep 29, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) walks off the field after a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Per his agent Collin Roberts, Kaleb McGary announced his retirement from the NFL after seven seasons. The former first-round pick from the 2019 NFL Draft finished his seven-year tenure at Atlanta, starting in 92 of the 93 games and earning approximately $46 million. The Falcons will free up around $14 million in cap space in 2026 since he retired rather than being released, meaning he forfeits his fully guaranteed $13.49 million base salary, along with an additional $15 million in cap savings in 2027. Although unlikely, the team may ask McGary to return a portion of his $4.5 million signing bonus, prorated at $3 million for the final two years.
Congrats to Kaleb McGary on his retirement and an amazing career. pic.twitter.com/Nb9M3Fmlw0
— Collin Roberts (@collinbroberts) April 8, 2026
The Falcons now have a dilemma at right tackle
USATSI 27090817 scaled
Aug 15, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Storm Norton (77) on the field against the Tennessee Titans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Storm Norton also sat out the entire 2025 season due to an injury sustained in training camp. The six-foot-seven backup right tackle suffered an ankle injury and underwent surgery in late August, and the Falcons placed him on injured reserve during roster cuts, initially describing his recovery time as six to eight weeks. Norton returned to practice in late October but suffered a setback, prompting the team to revert him to season-ending injury reserve.
To make matters worse, Elijah Wilkinson, the aforementioned starting right tackle in 2025, signed with the Arizona Cardinals, which weakened their depth. Aside from projected starter Storm Norton, the team currently has two inexperienced backup offensive tackles under contract, Michael Jerrell and Jack Nelson. Because Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. are both left-handed quarterbacks, the right side of the offensive line is considered their blindside, and the team could use its first selection (second-round pick) on a right tackle.