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The Atlanta Falcons suddenly had a key vacancy along their highly touted offensive line on Wednesday. After starting at right tackle for six seasons in Atlanta, right tackle Kaleb McGary’s agent, Colin Roberts, announced that the Falcons right tackle is walking away from the NFL.
“Congratulations to Kaleb McGary on his retirement and incredible career,” Roberts wrote on X.
The announcement comes less than a year after McGary suffered a knee injury on the final day of training camp that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season.
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FILE – Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Abbie Parr/AP)
The right tackle position has increased importance in Atlanta as the team’s roster includes two left-handed quarterbacks, Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa. McGary was expected to return in 2026 to protect the quarterback’s blind side once he fully recovered from his injury.
Former Falcons quarterback and current team president Matt Ryan, who played alongside McGary for three seasons, reflected on the news.
Kaleb McGary of the Atlanta Falcons leaves the field during an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 16, 2024. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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The Falcons offensive line has been ranked among the top 10 units by Pro Football Focus on multiple occasions since McGary’s arrival, with continuity being the reason for Atlanta’s success. The Falcons lineage is also credited with helping All-Pro running back Bijan Robison become one of the best players in the league.
Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) on the field during training camp at IBM Performance Field on July 24, 2025 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Dale Zanine/Imagn Images)
Last summer, Roberts announced that his client had secured a two-year contract extension with the Falcons.
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The Falcons turned to Elijah Wilkerson after backup right tackle Storm Norton suffered what also turned out to be a season-ending injury before the 2025 regular season. The Falcons moved quickly to fill the spot left empty by McGary, with Jawaan Taylor’s agents telling ESPN that the former Kansas City Chiefs tackle had agreed to a one-year deal to come to Atlanta.
