Atlanta Falcons and OT Matt Gono mutually agree to part ways

The Falcons have released Matt Gono, according to Ian Rapoport.

The #Falcons and OT Matt Gono have mutually agreed on his release today, source said. His contract expires at the start of the league year, but the team does him a solid and releases him now. Gono is recovered from shoulder surgery and should have a nice market.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 28, 2022

Terry Fontenot seemingly acquired Gono to be the team’s swing tackle behind Kaleb McGary and Jake Matthews, but it wouldn’t shock me if he were brought in actually to compete for the starting right tackle job.

Gono initially showed up to training camp last offseason in a neck brace, which Talkin’ Birdy’s Matt Karoly believed to be a herniated disc injury. He started four games in 2020 but appeared in all 16; however, he was never able to make it on the field in 2021. The Falcons placed a second round tender on Gono last offseason, which would have netted them a second round pick if he was signed away as a restricted free agent.

As Rapoport points out, Atlanta releasing Gono at this point allows him to test free agency. At the very least, Falcons fans can expect Fontenot to bring in a similar type of player to be the team’s swing tackle.