Will McGary fulfill his sudden duties of protecting the new Falcons franchise quarterback’s blindside?
Atlanta Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary has a big test Sunday when he faces New York Giants outside linebacker Brian Burns, given their long, contentious history stemming from the latter’s days with the Carolina Panthers.
McGary will not only be in the spotlight in Week 16 but for the remainder of the Falcons season, since he’ll now protect left-handed rookie quarterback Michael Penix’s blindside. There are concerns over whether McGary can handle the solemn duties typically held by left tackles due to the overwhelming number of right-handed passers playing football. McGary’s biggest weakness has always been pass protection, especially when facing explosive, bendy edge-rushers like Burns.
However, McGary counters that weakness with his strength as a physical run blocker. He stands out among the Falcons’ starting five linemen as the one you’d most want having your back in a bar fight.
But despite concerns about McGary’s fit with Penix, he should be an essential presence in the immediate future of the Falcons’ young quarterback. McGary and right guard Chris Lindstrom are a formidable combo of run blockers, and the team needs both to keep their dynamic duo at running back producing at a high level.
McGary remains valuable in 2024 due to his run-blocking prowess
The excitement over Penix’s promotion is palpable, but the Falcons will be wise to lean on their running game as he gets accustomed to the starting role, especially in this first outing against the Giants. Asking their rookie in his first game to drop back and throw more than 30 times gives a player like Burns the same number of opportunities to beat McGary and get after Penix.
Leaning on McGary and the run game helps everybody. McGary benefits from having to face Burns’s deadly speed rush fewer times. It also doesn’t force the need for immediate cohesion between Penix and the Falcons receivers, who have had minimal practice reps together.
Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson needs to keep things simple against the Giants. A hefty dose of the run game and play-action bootlegs should make up the bulk of the offense, which should be enough to outpace a 32nd-ranked Giants scoring offense.
Penix will have plenty of opportunities to sling it with his powerful arm, too. But easing him into the flow and rhythm of the game by leaning on the run early makes the most sense. Depending on how well Penix handles his first action this Sunday, that reliance on the run game could continue in upcoming matchups against the Washington Commanders and Carolina.
Can the Falcons move on from McGary in 2025?
So, McGary should continue to matter for the remainder of this season. But what about the upcoming offseason? According to Over the Cap, the Falcons can save $14.5 million against the 2025 salary cap by releasing McGary in March. Such savings will be awfully tempting considering the massive dead money cap hit the Falcons will potentially absorb by dumping former starting quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason.
Given McGary’s weaknesses in pass protection, it’ll also be enticing to seek an upgrade at right tackle who is more trustworthy in pass protection while offering equal value as a run blocker. However, such a tackle is hard to come by. Potential free agent options are limited. Only two of the ten offensive tackles ranked on PFF’s free agent list from November play on the right side: Morgan Moses and Justin Skule. The team could opt to sign someone who plays left tackle and move them to the right side, but not everybody is willing for or capable of making that transition.
Of course, the 2025 NFL Draft offers another route for an upgrade. But typically, the caliber of tackle with the combination of high-level skills both as a pass and run blocker goes very early. Rookie starters are well-known for their inconsistency, which is often a knock on McGary. So, cutting McGary and replacing him with a rookie is an iffy proposition. Yet, the Falcons should definitely be looking towards the draft regardless since both McGary (30) and left tackle Jake Matthews (33) will be getting up in years. But that heir apparent might be best suited getting a year to transition into the pros, much like Penix, rather than be immediately thrust into the starting lineup.
Time will tell whether the Falcons can find better options than McGary next year. However, how quickly Penix acclimates as a passer in the NFL could influence any upcoming decisions. If Penix manages to come out firing on all cylinders over the next three games, it becomes likelier that the Falcons could chase a higher-ceiling at right tackle next year in a more pass-oriented offense in 2025.
It remains to be seen how well Penix and McGary mesh. But for now, McGary remains the team’s best option for protecting Penix’s blindside.