The Atlanta Falcons received bad news Wednesday when Kaleb McGary’s agent announced that he’s retiring at the age of 31.
McGary missed all of last season after sustaining a knee injury in late August. As a right tackle, he was projected as the starter to protect the blindside of southpaw quarterbacks Michael Penix and Tua Tagovailoa in 2026.
Penix tore his ACL this past November and will likely miss some games at the start of the season. Atlanta signed Tagovailoa to a one-year deal earlier this year.
“I truly enjoyed my time playing alongside Kaleb,” Falcons president of football Matt Ryan said in a statement. “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.”
Ryan played with McGary from 2019-21. The Falcons traded up into the first round to pick McGary with the No. 31 overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.
McGary was a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection while playing for the Washington Huskies, winning the Morris Trophy in 2018. The Morris Trophy is annually awarded to the best offensive and defensive linemen in the league that’ll be back in 2026 after a two-year hiatus due to conference realignment.
McGary started 92 times in 93 games across six NFL seasons.
In March of 2023, McGary signed a three-year deal worth $34.5 million. A few weeks before getting injured in early August of last year, he inked a two-year extension for $30 million.
In other news for the Falcons, DE James Pearce wasn’t at the start of OTAs on Tuesday. He’s facing three felony charges from his disturbing arrest in February.
On a more positive note, Atlanta star TE Kyle Pitts was present at the start of OTAs. He’s going to sign his tender after the club put the franchise tag on him.
Pitts, who is guaranteed to make $15.05 million in 2026, was voted as a second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press after hauling in 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns last season. Pitts and the Falcons still have a window between now and July 15 to agree on a long-term extension.
FanDuel has the Falcons with 75/1 odds to win Super Bowl LXI. They have +270 odds to win the NFC South.