The Atlanta Falcons
have gotten a few major contract extensions done under first-year general manager Ian Cunningham, and it appears they've made one last cap clearing move before the start of the 2026 NFL season.
According to Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap
, the Falcons freed up $11.76 million in salary cap space by restructuring Chris Lindstrom
's contract. The team added another voided year to his deal and converted a portion of his salary into a signing bonus.
"In a move designed to maximize salary cap carryover for 2027 and increase their flexibility for 2026 the Falcons have created $11.76 million in cap room with a restructure of Chris Lindstrom's contract. The team converted $14.7 million of his salary into a bonus and added an additional void year to maximize the proration of the bonus. The move reduced his 2026 salary cap number by $11.76 million. His cap number in all future years will increase by $2.94 million." - Over The Cap
After restructuring Lindstrom's deal, the Falcons reportedly have around $33 million in cap space available. That's the third-most in the entire NFL. So what will the team look to do with that cash?
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Perhaps Cunningham is looking to extend safety Jessie Bates III
's contract. The team has already extended Bijan Robinson
, Drake London
, Kyle Pitts
and Matthew Bergeron
. Bates is the next in line after three stellar seasons in Atlanta.
We'll have to wait and see what Cunningham has up his sleeve next. The Falcons will face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers
on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
OL: Bill Fralic (2026 Class)
(Manny Rubio-US PRESSWIRE, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
OL: Bill Fralic (2026 Class)
(Manny Rubio-US PRESSWIRE, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
DE: John Abraham (2026 Class)
(Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
QB Matt Ryan (2024 Class)
(Todd Kirkland, Getty Images)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
Owner: Arthur Blank (2024 Class)
(Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
OL: Todd McClure (2022 Class)
(Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
WR Roddy White (2019 Class)
(Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
RB: Warrick Dunn (2017 Class)
(George Walker IV / The Tennessea, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
RB: Gerald Riggs (2013 Class)
(Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY Sports, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
DB: Deion Sanders (2010 Class)
(US PRESSWIRE, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
DL: Claude Humphrey (2008 Class)
(Manny Rubio-US PRESSWIRE, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
OL: Mike Kenn (2008 Class)
(Manny Rubio-US PRESSWIRE, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
OL: Jeff Van Note (2006 Class)
(Manny Rubio-US PRESSWIRE, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
LB: Jessie Tuggle (2004 Class)
(Manny Rubio-US PRESSWIRE, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
LB: Tommy Nobis (2004 Class)
(Dick Raphael, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
QB: Steve Bartkowski (2004 Class)
(Manny Rubio-US PRESSWIRE, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Who are the 16 members of the Falcons Ring of Honor?
RB: William Andrews (2004 Class)
(Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY Sports, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons 16-man practice squad arranged by uniform number
(Robert Goddin, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons 16-man practice squad arranged by uniform number
(Robert Goddin, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons 16-man practice squad arranged by uniform number
(Jay Biggerstaff, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons 16-man practice squad arranged by uniform number
(Dale Zanine, Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
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Falcons 16-man practice squad arranged by uniform number
Safey: Jammie Robinson (34)
(Mark J. Rebilas, Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
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Falcons 16-man practice squad arranged by uniform number
(Dale Zanine, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons 16-man practice squad arranged by uniform number
(Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Falcons 16-man practice squad arranged by uniform number
OL: James Brockermeyer (66)
(Jerome Miron, Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)
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Falcons 16-man practice squad arranged by uniform number
(Petre Thomas, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons 16-man practice squad arranged by uniform number
(Kayla Wolf, Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images)
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Falcons 16-man practice squad arranged by uniform number
(Todd Kirkland, Getty Images)
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Falcons 16-man practice squad arranged by uniform number
WR Antwane Wells Jr. (82)
(Yannick Peterhans, Yannick Peterhans / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Falcons 16-man practice squad arranged by uniform number
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons vs. Colts: Photos from Saturday's preseason game
WR: Vinny Anthony II (86)
(Robert Goddin, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons vs. Colts: Photos from Saturday's preseason game
(Robert Goddin, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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Falcons 16-man practice squad arranged by uniform number
(Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Falcons 16-man practice squad arranged by uniform number
(Darren Yamashita, Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire:
Falcons create nearly $12M in cap space with restructured contract