Atlanta made the logical move this week by picking up receiver Drake London’s fifth-year option. The move retains London in Atlanta for at least the 2026 season and gives Atlanta more time to consider an extension. Given the saturated market at the receiver position, making a decision will be challenging. Finding the skill of Michael Penix Jr. or Bijan Robinson at more elusive spots necessitates prioritizing enough room to stretch both players in subsequent seasons. This is not intended to diminish London’s effect, but rather to highlight the fact of how many incredibly strong choices there in the league at the position.
With this in mind, Atlanta will face a difficult decision, which will most likely get more difficult in the future. Penix and London demonstrated tremendous synergy in just three games. In the duo’s final game of the season, the receiver caught ten passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns. It was the most dominating receiving performance Atlanta fans have witnessed since Julio Jones left the franchise. Giving the receiver even more reason to expect an extension.
Can Atlanta Falcons afford to pay Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Michael Penix Jr.?
That is the subject Atlanta will be facing for the next two seasons as their brilliant offensive core completes their rookie contracts. In addition, you must examine the futures of left guard Matthew Bergeron and right tackle Kaleb McGary. McGary is in a contract year, while Bergeron is nearing the end of his rookie contract. Even if the salary limit continues to rise, the Falcons will have a difficult time keeping their core together.
How crucial London is to this franchise will be determined by how much of the receiver’s early relationship with Penix remains. If Atlanta has top-of-the-league production for the entire season, the move is obvious. This is why choosing the fifth-year option was the proper decision. It allows the franchise more time to assess London and determine how the future will unfold.
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