Falcons old friend has option declined, becomes free agent

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With the Falcons in need of wide receiver help, there are several familiar faces on the open market.

The most high-profile is Calvin Ridley, who is expected to depart Jacksonville this offseason after the Jaguars inked Gabe Davis to a three-year deal. The Falcons would be wise to spin the wheels on a potential reunion, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

On the cheaper side is Olamide Zaccheaus. The burner could add some speed to Atlanta’s offense out of the slot, and another old friend has joined them on the free agent market.

The Buccaneers declined their team option on Russell Gage for the 2024 season, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports.

Gage signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Bucs back in 2022, but injuries kept him from making much of an impact over the first two years of the deal.

It was a good signing at the time as Gage had amassed 138 catches for 1,556 yards and eight touchdowns over his previous two seasons with the Falcons. Unfortunately for Gage, he would never reach his potential in Tampa Bay.

A hamstring injury hampered his first training camp and it lingered all season, limiting him to just 51 catches, 426 yards and five scores. Injuries would continue to affect him. Gage tore his patellar tendon during training camp this past year, relegating him to injured reserve and missing the entire season.

The Falcons are likely looking for someone a bit more reliable than any of the three former receivers, but all three are intriguing targets at different price points.

Photographer: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire
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