Atlanta Falcons: 3 Players who won’t be back in 2021

2. Alex Mack

Another player that won’t return to the Falcons in 2021 and beyond is yet another veteran on the offensive side of the ball and on the offensive line.

That offensvie lineman is 12-year veteran center Alex Mack, who completed his fifth season with the Falcons in 2020.

There is no doubt that Mack is a fan favorite and is a valuable piece to the offensive line in Atlanta while trying to protect Matt Ryan under center, but the two sides will likely move on this offseason with the veteran center getting up there in age and the organization strapped salary cap wise at the same time.

Mack, who played the first seven years of his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns before joining the Falcons in 2016, will turn 36 years old in 2021 and is also looking for a new contract this offseason.

A six-time Pro Bowler, Mack made roughly $9 million during the 2020 season and that’s a number Atlanta likely wouldn’t be able to commit to once again with a new contract in the new year.

Mack has the skill set that would be a valuable one to any team in the NFL looking for a veteran to take the field for at least a season or two, but the Falcons won’t be that team in 2021 and could very well look for someone cheaper and younger to take over at that spot leading into the future.

Obviously, Mack could agree to return to the team at a reduced price, but that would be a surprising thing to see happen given the fact that other teams in the league would likely be able to offer him a much larger contract in the free agent market.

Atlanta would love to have Mack back on the offensive side of the ball for the remainder of his professional career. But given the current state of the team and the salary cap position it is in, the veteran will be moving on this offseason.