The Atlanta Falcons have added competition to an uncertain center position by signing Louisville undrafted free agent Michael Gonzalez. In a matching move, they removed a piece from the equation somewhere on the line by cutting Joey Fisher.
The team has informed us of the news. Gonzalez is an intriguing addition thus far out from the 2025 NFL Draft, especially since he is a collegiate guard who will be transitioning to center, as the organization has done with Ryan Neuzil and Jovaughn Gwyn in recent seasons.
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Gonzalez, a 50-game starter at Louisville, was noted for his pass protection prowess in college, but he was also part of a very solid run blocking line, as Will McFadden (hello, Will!) of the Falcons points out.
Fisher joined the Falcons on a reserve/futures contract in January and was listed as a guard on the team’s depth chart. With Fisher looking for a new team, the team now only has virtual roster lock Kyle Hinton, undrafted free agent Joshua Gray, and veteran Elijah Wilkinson listed as guards behind Chris Lindstrom and Matthew Bergeron, though other players can obviously play multiple positions.
Gonzalez is entering a favorable situation. Ryan Neuzil has yet to sign his contract, as far as we know, and there is no evidence that Gwyn is committed to a long-term job as a backup to him.
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The only other center on the roster is Matthew Cindric. If Gonzalez performs well this season, there may be place on the practice squad or even the roster for a backup center, and if the undrafted free agent can make his case, he may have a clear road to a roster berth in 2026.
That’s all ahead of us, but Gonzalez is a name to remember later this summer. Give him a hearty greeting in Atlanta.
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