The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a two-year, $45 million contract extension with left tackle Jake Matthews, securing him through the 2028 season, the NFL Network reported Sunday.
The deal includes $38 million in guaranteed money for 2025 and 2026.
Matthews, 33, has been a cornerstone of Atlanta’s offensive line since being selected sixth overall in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. A model of durability, he has started all 179 regular-season games and five postseason contests he has played, missing just one game in his 10-year career due to an ankle injury as a rookie.
In 2023, he broke former quarterback Matt Ryan’s franchise record for consecutive starts, extending the streak to 178.
While Matthews’ extension solidifies the Falcons’ offensive line, uncertainty looms over center Drew Dalman’s future. The 26-year-old is set to enter free agency, with reports suggesting he will have a strong market, including interest from the Chicago Bears.
Dalman, a fourth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has emerged as a reliable starter. However, with significant financial commitments already made to the offensive line, Atlanta may struggle to retain him unless it clears cap space within the next 48 hours.
If Dalman departs, the Falcons could turn to in-house options such as backup Ryan Neuzil, who filled in last season, or look to the upcoming draft, where Georgia’s Jared Wilson fits their preferred athletic profile for linemen.
With NFL free agency set to begin Monday, the Falcons’ front office faces critical decisions that could shape the team’s direction heading into the 2025 season.