Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons News

Falcons Bring Back Former First-Round Pick on the OL

The Atlanta Falcons have reportedly re-signed another one of their offensive linemen.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on March 22 that the Falcons have brought back veteran offensive lineman Germain Ifedi on a one-year contract.

Ifedi served as a depth offensive linemen for the Falcons during the 2022 season. He played just eight offensive snaps and another 72 snaps on special teams, but he appeared in every game.

The Seattle Seahawks drafted Ifedi at No. 31 overall in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. He started at right guard as a rookie and then moved primarily to right tackle in 2017. But Ifedi failed to develop into the stalwart offensive linemen the Seahawks hoped.

Despite starting four years in Seattle, the Seahawks didn’t pick up his fifth-year option and allowed him to become a free agent in 2020.

Since then, Ifedi has signed four one-year contracts. The first two were with the Chicago Bears for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. He played for the Falcons on a one-year, $1.2 million contract last season.

The financial details of Ifedi’s newest deal have yet to be disclosed.

In addition to Ifedi, the Falcons have re-signed guard Chris Lindstrom and tackle Kaleb McGary this offseason.

Lindstrom agreed to a five-year, $105 million contract, which will make him the highest-paid guard in the NFL on a per annual salary basis. McGary received a three-year $34.5 million deal.

In a perfect world, Ifedi won’t play much again in 2023. But he’s good insurance in case the Falcons suffer an injury along the offensive line.

Ifedi’s experience at both right tackle and guard make him a viable option at either position. That kind of versatility is a must-have in backup offensive linemen.

In seven NFL seasons, Ifedi has appeared in 102 games, making 83 starts. All of his starts have been at either right guard or tackle.

The Falcons Podcast:
Spreaker
Apple Podcasts
Spotify