Falcons’ bold right tackle move could define the 2026 season
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Falcons’ bold right tackle move could define the 2026 season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Atlanta Falcons are entering the 2026 season with a new look on the right side of their offensive line for the second consecutive year, hoping the latest changes will provide stability and strengthen the protection in front of their offense.
The transition began after longtime right tackle Kaleb McGary announced his retirement during the offseason. McGary, the 31st overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, started 92 games for Atlanta from 2019 through 2024 before a knee injury sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. His retirement marked the end of a significant chapter for the Falcons’ offensive line.
Atlanta temporarily filled the void last season with veteran Elijah Wilkinson, but his departure in free agency left the Falcons searching once again for a dependable starter.
Can Jawaan Taylor fix Atlanta’s biggest offensive line question?
The team’s answer came in the form of veteran tackle Jawaan Taylor. Selected four picks after McGary in the 2019 draft, Taylor brings a wealth of experience to Atlanta after spending time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs. Over seven NFL seasons, he has started 120 regular-season games and appeared in nine playoff contests, giving the Falcons a proven veteran with championship experience.
Taylor signed a one-year, $5 million contract shortly after McGary retired in April. Although a leg injury kept him out of offseason workouts, the Falcons expect him to be fully healthy and ready when training camp begins, providing optimism that he can immediately solidify the right tackle position.
Atlanta also added valuable depth by acquiring Wanya Morris in a trade two months after signing Taylor. Morris, a third-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, spent the past three seasons with the Chiefs as Taylor’s backup. At just 24 years old, Morris offers upside and familiarity with Taylor’s playing style, giving the Falcons another capable option if needed.
With Taylor expected to anchor the position and Morris waiting in the wings, Atlanta believes it has improved both experience and depth on the right side. As training camp opens, the revamped tackle group will be one of the key storylines to watch as the Falcons prepare for the 2026 season.