Falcons OT Kaleb McGary retires, team reportedly signing Jawaan Taylor

Atlanta Falcons veteran tackle Kaleb McGary announces retirement, while the team signs free agent Jawaan Taylor to a one-year deal.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 5:10am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, fragmented painting depicting a football game or match, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in navy, red, and white, conveying the conceptual idea of an offensive line undergoing change.The Falcons' offensive line undergoes a geometric reconstruction as the team replaces a key veteran tackle.Kansas City Today

Atlanta Falcons starting right tackle Kaleb McGary, a 6-year veteran, has announced his retirement through his agent. McGary, 31, missed the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury after signing a 2-year contract extension. The Falcons have reportedly agreed to a 1-year, $5 million contract with free agent right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who spent the last 3 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Why it matters

McGary's retirement leaves a hole on the Falcons' offensive line, which will need to be addressed through the signing of Taylor or potentially the draft. The Falcons are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season and will need a strong offensive line to support their passing and running game.

The details

Kaleb McGary started 92 of 93 games in his 6-year career with the Falcons after being a 1st round draft pick in 2019. He signed a 2-year, $30 million contract extension last August but suffered a season-ending knee injury in preseason practice. Jawaan Taylor, 28, has started 111 of 111 games in his 4-year NFL career, first with the Jacksonville Jaguars and most recently with the Kansas City Chiefs.

  • On Wednesday, Kaleb McGary announced his retirement through his agent.
  • The Falcons have agreed to a 1-year, $5 million contract with Jawaan Taylor, with an additional $1 million in incentives, according to reports on Wednesday.

The players

Kaleb McGary

A 6-year veteran offensive tackle who started 92 of 93 games for the Atlanta Falcons before retiring due to a knee injury.

Jawaan Taylor

A 28-year-old offensive tackle who has started 111 of 111 games in his 4-year NFL career, most recently with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Falcons have signed him to a 1-year, $5 million contract.

Matt Ryan

The former quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, who played alongside Kaleb McGary from 2019-2022 and praised McGary's impact on the organization.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I truly enjoyed my time playing alongside Kaleb. He was an outstanding teammate and had a tremendous career as a Falcon. We are grateful for the impact he made on this organization, and we wish him nothing but the best in retirement.”

— Matt Ryan, Falcons president of football

What’s next

The Falcons will look to integrate Jawaan Taylor into their offensive line as they aim to improve upon their disappointing 2025 season.

The takeaway

Kaleb McGary's retirement is a significant loss for the Falcons, but the signing of Jawaan Taylor provides an experienced replacement at right tackle as the team looks to rebuild its offensive line and return to contention in the NFC South.