The Atlanta Falcons have lost more than they've gained since the start of the new league year, but that was expected due to the team's lack of salary cap space. On Day 1 of NFL free agency, the Falcons watched two former starters sign with the Chicago Bears.
Center Drew Dalman and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett each signed three-year deals worth just over $40 million, leaving two big holes along the team's offensive and defensive lines. While Atlanta can use a platoon of players to replace Jarrett, finding a replacement for Dalman isn't quite as easy.
The team placed a right-of-refusal tender on backup center Ryan Neuzil, and it sounds like he could take over as the starter in 2025. Head coach Raheem Morris was asked about the center position at Tuesday's league meeting.
According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Falcons are comfortable with Neuzil taking over full-time at center.
#Falcons HC Raheem Morris is comfortable with Ryan Neuzil at center. He'll have to compete to win the spot. They have a 8-game sample size from last season that they are comfortable with.
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) April 1, 2025
Neuzil started eight games for Atlanta last season when Dalman suffered an ankle injury. While the veteran lineman wasn't perfect, he held his own for the most part. Morris said Neuzil would have to compete to win the gig, but unless the Falcons draft an offensive lineman early, it's clearly his job to lose.
The 27-year-old earned a pass-blocking grade of 63.6 last season, allowing one sack in his eight starts. Neuzil is a decent option for a team low on salary cap space. At worst, he should serve as a decent bridge option for the team in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons 'comfortable' with Ryan Neuzil at center
