NFL free agency is off and running, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2026 offseason, with analysis from our NFL nation reporters and grades from our experts.
The new league year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, which means free agents can be made official after that. The first round of the 2026 NFL draft begins April 23 on ESPN.
Here's a breakdown of every 2026 NFL free agent signing by the Atlanta Falcons and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Tua Tagovailoa, QB
What it means: The Falcons could need a bridge for quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who is still recovering from left ACL surgery. So why not Tagovailoa? He led the league in passing yards and made the Pro Bowl in 2023. In 2024, he led the league in completion percentage.
Yes, he struggled this past season and he had considerable injury issues with a history of concussions. But the Falcons are bringing him in for just one year and $1.3 million. The Dolphins took on a ton of dead money to release him. At worst, he's short-term help while Penix heals up. At best, he's someone who could compete with Penix, a fellow lefty, for the starting role.
Olamide Zaccheaus, WR
What the signing means: The Falcons are expected to cut wide receivers Darnell Mooney and KhaDarel Hodge and they already had depth issues at the position in 2025. Zaccheaus brings exactly that: depth.
The Falcons will likely be rehauling their receivers room, building around Drake London. Zaccheaus could be a third or fourth receiver. He's a familiar face to the Falcons. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in Atlanta and had four solid years from 2019 to 2022, capped by a career-high 533 yards.
Oh, and by the way, his quarterback for three of those seasons? New Falcons president of football Matt Ryan.
Jake Bailey, P
What it means: The Falcons are completely revamping their special teams unit, which was one of the worst in the NFL last season. Punter Bradley Pinion was actually a bright spot for Atlanta in that department, as well as a team captain. But the Falcons will move on from him to add Bailey, who was an All-Pro punter in 2020 and has performed well for the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. Atlanta is signing Bailey for three years and $9 million.
Austin Hooper, TE
What it means: Kevin Stefanski loves tight ends, and Matt Ryan is very familiar with Hooper, who was with the Falcons from 2016 to 2019. He was part of the Atlanta team that went to the Super Bowl.
Hooper had career-highs in catches (75) and receiving yards (787) in 2019 with Ryan throwing to him. Expect plenty of 12 personnel and maybe even 13 personnel with Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees pairing Hooper with the dynamic Kyle Pitts Sr.
Pass-catchers was one of the Falcons' top needs, and now they have two who Ryan trusts first-hand.
Nick Folk, K
What it means: After going through three different kickers last season -- Younghoe Koo, Parker Romo and Zane Gonzalez -- the Falcons are bringing in the ever-consistent Folk, who will head into his 20th NFL season.
Folk, most recently with the Jets, has been the NFL's most accurate kicker over the last three seasons. Atlanta hopes he's a stabilizing force at the position. Folk has made 85% of his career field goals and has not been under 95% since 2022. New Falcons special teams coach Craig Aukerman had Folk in 2023 with the Tennessee Titans.
Jahan Dotson, WR
What it means: One thing notably missing from the Falcons wide receiver room in 2025 was someone who could stretch defenses with speed. Dotson could fill that role next season with his 4.43-second 40-yard dash motor.
The Falcons have prioritized pass-catchers, signing wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus, tight end Austin Hooper and now Dotson, a former first-round pick who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles. These might not be the splashiest acquisitions, but they complement wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. and add depth. Dotson also has upside at just 25 years old.
Cameron Thomas, DE
What it means: The Falcons have some question marks up front, including whether Arnold Ebiketie will be re-signed as an edge rusher and the future status of edge James Pearce Jr., who is facing five felony charges in a domestic-violence related situation in Florida.
Atlanta also lost defensive tackle David Onyemata to the New York Jets in free agency. Enter Thomas, a solid, versatile defensive end who spent the last two seasons with coach Kevin Stefanski with the Cleveland Browns. Thomas, who had 2.5 sacks last season as a rotational player, is a nice get for just one year and $3.1 million.
