Falcons Tackle Kaleb McGary Retires After Injury

McGary missed the 2025 season due to an unspecified injury.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:46pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the distorted form of a football player, conveying the physical toll and career-ending nature of McGary's injury.The abrupt end to Kaleb McGary's football career due to injury leaves the Falcons searching for a new anchor on the offensive line.Atlanta Today

Atlanta Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary has announced his retirement from the NFL after missing the entire 2025 season due to an undisclosed injury. McGary was a first-round draft pick by the Falcons in 2019 and had started 47 games for the team over his 6-year career.

Why it matters

McGary's retirement is a significant loss for the Falcons, who will now need to find a new starting right tackle to protect their quarterback. His departure also highlights the physical toll that professional football can take on players, especially those who suffer serious injuries.

The details

McGary, 28, was placed on injured reserve prior to the start of the 2025 season and never returned to the field. The Falcons did not provide details on the nature of his injury. He was a consistent starter for the team since being drafted in the first round in 2019, appearing in 47 games over his 6-year career.

  • McGary was placed on injured reserve before the start of the 2025 NFL season.
  • He announced his retirement on April 8, 2026.

The players

Kaleb McGary

A former first-round draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 2019, McGary started 47 games at right tackle over his 6-year NFL career before announcing his retirement in 2026 due to an unspecified injury that caused him to miss the entire 2025 season.

Atlanta Falcons

The professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia that drafted Kaleb McGary in the first round in 2019 and he started 47 games for them at right tackle before retiring in 2026.

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The takeaway

McGary's retirement is a significant loss for the Falcons, who will now need to find a new starting right tackle to protect their quarterback. His departure also highlights the physical toll that professional football can take on players, especially those who suffer serious injuries that force them to miss an entire season.