Drake London signs 4-year, $141 million contract to become third highest-paid WR

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London can now call himself one of the highest-paid players in franchise history.

The Falcons and their leading receiver have reportedly agreed to a four-year, $141 million deal, including $100 million guaranteed, according to ESPN. The deal can also reach $150 million with incentives.

At $35.25 million per year, London would become the third-highest paid receiver in the NFL. Only Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks, who signed a record $168.8 million extension a month after helping his team win Super Bowl LX, and Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals, who agreed to a $161 million deal in March 2025, would earn more.

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London, 24, was the Falcons’ first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of USC, and he earned that draft spot after making 309 receptions for 3,961 yards and 22 touchdowns in four seasons.

He was entering this season with his fifth-year option, but the Falcons won’t be going into this game with a centerpiece.

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However, they won’t be done making massive contracts, and London’s star offensive teammate, running back Bijan Robinson, could do more than just be one of the highest-paid players in franchise history.

Robinson established himself as one of the NFL’s elite running backs in just three seasons with Atlanta. Last season, he totaled a league-high 2,298 yards from scrimmage (1,478 rushing, 820 receiving, with 11 total touchdowns). He earned his first All-Pro honor, and there will likely be more to come for the shifty Texas product.

Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles is the highest-paid running back in the NFL at $20.6 million per year, but Robinson could crush that number depending on what he and the Falcons could eventually agree to. It’s not mandatory this year, but it’s certainly on the horizon.

Drake London of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 4, 2026. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Falcons have already picked up Robinson’s fifth-year option for the 2027 season.

As for London, the Falcons have a major decision to make before the 2026 season: determining who their starting quarterback will be. Whoever wins the job will be tasked with getting the ball to London and the rest of Atlanta’s pass catchers, including tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., who will play out the season with the franchise tag.

While Michael Penix Jr., who partially tore the ACL in his left knee last season, remains on the roster, the Falcons signed another lefty, former Miami Dolphins star Tua Tagovailoa, to give him some competition in training camp this summer.

Inconsistency at the quarterback position is what London and his teammates have had to deal with since entering the league, with Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinecke and Marcus Mariota taking turns as the team’s starter before Kirk Cousins ​​signed his massive three-year contract with Atlanta.

Drake London of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after a catch in the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on October 13, 2025. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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London’s best year came in 2024, when he was clearly Cousins’ top target, scoring 100 of his 158 targets for a career-high 1,271 with nine touchdowns. However, Cousins ​​did not retain his starting role, as Penix took over as the starter in Week 1. Once injured, Cousins ​​had to come in, and yet London still nearly reached 1,000 yards.

With a new front office in place, led by Falcons legend and president of football Matt Ryan, it’s clear the team is committed to retaining its young core as it attempts to return to the playoffs in the wide-open NFC South.