Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham said on March 30 that the team is already considering the future of wide receiver Drake London as he approaches his fifth-year option in 2026. Speaking at the NFL Annual League Meetings, Cunningham said, “What we thought of him then, he has already showcased in the NFL. Just his ability to high-point balls, the tenacity, the personality he plays with on the field. I feel like if I were a teammate of his, I would like playing with him.”
The topic matters as teams across the league weigh long-term contracts for top players and use mechanisms such as franchise tags or extensions to keep talent under contract. The Falcons have previously secured long-term deals with former first-round picks Chris Lindstrom and A.J. Terrell before their rookie contracts expired.
Cunningham explained that decisions about London’s contract are not far off in their planning process: “I think it’s top of mind,” he said. “I think all of these type of decisions are top of mind just in terms of you know its coming, but right now we are really focused on this wave of free agency, we have the draft coming — but don’t think for one second that that hasn’t been thought of.” He added that market timing and developments around other receivers influence preparations: “You have to take (the timing of the market) into account just in terms of preparation as we go down those paths of extension talks with all of these guys… All those things are taken into account.”
Recent news around wide receiver contracts includes Jaxon Smith-Njigba agreeing to a four-year extension worth $168.6 million and discussions about Rams receiver Puka Nacua’s future, according to reports from league meetings.
Cunningham also addressed how external factors affect internal decision-making: “We don’t want outside factors to push us into feeling like we have to make a decision right now.” He indicated similar considerations may soon apply to running back Bijan Robinson’s fifth-year option.
The Atlanta Falcons compete in the National Football League’s NFC South division according to their official website. The team advanced to two Super Bowls—in 1998 and 2016—and began play as an expansion franchise in 1965 according to their official website. The organization is based in Atlanta, Georgia according to their official website, where Freddie the Falcon serves as mascot according to their official website.
Looking ahead, Cunningham emphasized patience: “Let’s take it a day at a time,” he concluded.
