Kaleb McGary retires from Atlanta Falcons after season-ending knee injury
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The Atlanta Falcons suddenly had a significant hole on their respected offensive line on Wednesday. After starting at the right tackle spot for six seasons in Atlanta, Kaleb McGary’s agent Colin Roberts announced that the Falcons’ right tackle is moving on from the NFL.
“Congratulations to Kaleb McGary on his retirement and great career,” Roberts said. He wrote to X.
The announcement comes less than a year after McGary suffered a knee injury on the final day of training camp, sidelining him for the entire 2025 season.
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FILE – Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, December 8, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Abbie Parr/AP)
The team’s roster includes Michael Penix Jr. The right tackle position is increasingly important in Atlanta, as they feature two left-handed quarterbacks in Atlanta and Tua Tagovailoa. McGary was expected to return in 2026 to guard the quarterback’s blindside after fully recovering from the injury.
Former Falcons quarterback and current team president Matt Ryan, who played alongside McGary for three seasons, was in the news.
Kaleb McGary of the Atlanta Falcons walks off the field during the NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on December 16, 2024. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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The Falcons’ offensive line has been ranked in the top 10 by Pro Football Focus multiple times since McGary’s arrival, and continuity has fueled Atlanta’s success. The Falcons are also known for helping All-Pro running back Bijan Robison emerge as one of the league’s premier players.
Atlanta Falcons offense 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 reached a two-year contract extension with the Falcons.
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The Falcons turned to backup right tackle Elijah Wilkerson after what proved to be a season-ending injury to Storm Norton ahead of the 2025 regular season. The Falcons moved quickly to address the open roster spot left vacant by McGary, with Jawaan Taylor’s agents telling ESPN that the former Kansas City Chiefs tackle has agreed to a one-year deal to come to Atlanta.
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