Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have informed wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge that they are releasing him, according to Jordan Schultz of The Schultz Report.

Hodge went on injured reserve in December with a shoulder injury.

In 12 games last season, Hodge totaled three receptions for 31 yards on offense and nine tackles on special teams. He played 10 percent of the Falcons’ offensive snaps and 72 percent of the special teams snaps in the games he played.

Hodge earned Pro Bowl honors in 2024 for his special teams play.

He spent four seasons with the Falcons after one season with the Rams (2018), two with the Browns (2019-20) and one with the Lions (2021).

The NFL’s Rooney Rule calls for teams that develop minority executives or coaches to receive a pair of third-round picks when they move on to other clubs as General Managers and head coaches, but the Bears are currently not expected to receive those compensatory selections after Ian Cunningham left the team to become the GM in Atlanta.

According to the NFL, the Bears are not getting those picks because president of football Matt Ryan is the top football executive in Atlanta. Ryan said earlier this month that Cunningham is the one “driving the ship” and Cunningham said at a Scouting Combine press conference on Tuesday that the Bears should be getting picks based on his understanding of the rule.

“I haven’t had much time to really dive into the wording of it,” Cunningham said. “It was always my interpretation that if a general manager gets hired, that team would receive two third-round picks. I’m the General Manager. I was hired. I would think that they would get two third-round picks. I don’t know the wording of it. That’s just my perspective. I wouldn’t be sitting here if it weren’t for them giving me that job and helping me grow to get this job right now.”

Bears GM Ryan Poles called it “a little odd” that the Chiefs got picks when he was hired in Chicago and called the entire rule “strange,” but that it is also “very clear” that the Bears should be receiving those picks in the current situation.

The Falcons won’t let tight end Kyle Pitts hit free agency.

Pitts got the franchise tag today, the team announced.

“We’re not in the business of letting go really good players,” Falcons General Manager Ian Cunningham said.

The tag means Pitts has the option to sign a one-year guaranteed contract at a salary of about $16 million for 2026, or he can try to work out a long-term contract with the Falcons. It’s also still possible that the Falcons could agree to trade Pitts to another team that negotiates a long-term deal with him. If he hasn’t signed a long-term deal by July 15, he could only play on a one-year deal for 2026.

The 25-year-old Pitts was the fourth overall pick of the 2021 NFL draft and has played out his five-year rookie contract. He has developed into a solid player, even if he has never made the kind of impact the Falcons expected him to make when they drafted him. The Falcons believe he has a lot of good football ahead of him.

When Ryan Poles left the Chiefs to become the Bears’ General Manager in 2022, the Chiefs got two third-round compensatory picks because Poles is Black and the NFL rewards teams that develop minority head coaches and GMs. Poles is not a fan of that NFL policy.

“I’ll be honest, I think it is a little strange,” Poles said. “At the end of the day you should want to develop your staff regardless of the color of their skin. I think that’s important. I think we take a lot of pride with the Bears in how we have our setup. I take a lot of pride in that, so to be compensated for that is a little strange.”

The Chiefs used one of those third-round picks to draft linebacker Leo Chenal and used the other in a trade for wide receiver Kadarius Toney. Poles said he found it odd to see his old team get players because of him.

“I saw the Chiefs get a pick because of me and then I watch that player go and play, it’s just a little odd,” Poles said. “But at the end of the day if they think that’s what’s best to help incentivize, that’s what they wanted to do.”

The rule is relevant to the Bears this offseason because Ian Cunningham, who is Black, left to become GM of the Falcons — but the Bears are not expected to receive compensatory picks for Cunningham because Matt Ryan, not Cunningham, is viewed as the Falcons’ primary football executive. Poles said that while the rule doesn’t change the way he operates, he does wish the Bears would benefit from it as long as it’s in place.

“At the end of the day, that’s not the purpose of why we develop our staff, but if that’s the rule they have in place, then I think it’s very clear in this situation what should happen,” Poles said. “But we’ll see what they think.”

Poles seemed to be suggesting that the Bears are still holding out hope that they’ll receive two compensatory picks, which would require the NFL reversing course from what it previously said about Ryan being the primary football executive. Those two picks would be helpful to Poles, even if he questions the wisdom of the rule behind them.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins remains a member of the Falcons, but that will not be the case for much longer.

The Falcons reworked Cousins’s contract to move the bulk of his 2026 salary to 2027 and set up a vesting date of March 13 that would guarantee him $67.9 million for the 2027 season. The size of that guarantee set the stage for Cousins to be released before that date and General Manager Ian Cunningham confirmed that is what is going to happen on Tuesday.

Cunningham said on 92.9 The Game that the Falcons have told Cousins that they will release him when the new league year begins on March 11.

“Obviously, the contract structure allows that to occur,” Cunningham said.

Designating Cousins as a post-June 1 cut will allow the Falcons to spread out his remaining cap hit over the next two years and the move will allow Cousins to hit the open market at the start of free agency. Cunningham’s announcement also lets teams looking for quarterback help know that Cousins will definitely be available and that will allow them to make plans with that in mind.

The Falcons won’t be letting tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. fly the coop.

Per multiple reports, the Falcons are expected to apply the franchise tag to Pitts. The 2026 franchise tag for tight ends is expected to land in the range of $16 million for one season.

Pitts landed at No. 6 on the PFT list of 2026 free agents.

The fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft, Pitts has never fully lived up to the potential that made him a top-five pick. He has one 1,000-yard receiving season. That came in his rookie year, which also was the last year in Atlanta for quarterback Matt Ryan. Ryan is now the president of football operations.

In 2025, Pitts had a career-high 88 catches for 928 yards and a career-high five touchdown receptions. His season, which ended with a second-team All-Pro recognition, was highlighted by an 11-catch, 166-yard, three-touchdown performance during a Thursday night game in Tampa.

The Falcons and Pitts will have until July 15 to negotiate a multi-year contract.

The statement from the NFL Players Association strongly hinted at the cause of the sudden passing of Vikings receiver Rondale Moore on Saturday. Via the Associated Press, police in New Albany, Indiana, have said that Moore died of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The official cause of death is pending an autopsy scheduled for Sunday.

It’s a tragic situation, one that happens far too often. Even though many who are dealing with depression and other mental-health issues seek help, many suffer in silence.

Even if friends, family, and teammates are looking for any signs of distress, sometimes there are none until it’s too late.

The message is clear. If you’re struggling, say something. To someone. To anyone. There’s always someone who will help you. You may think there isn’t, but there is.

The world has changed. No longer does anyone believe that it’s a sign of weakness to be vulnerable. And most understand the importance of reacting quickly when someone in their personal orbit needs help.

If all else fails, call or text 988. There’s not a single person whose absence would not affect multiple other people, in many different ways. During a November 2025 60 Minutes feature regarding the problem of suicides among farmers, Jolie Foreman of Shelby County Cares said that every suicide directly affects 130 people.

Some affect many more than that. Each one that happens should serve as a reminder to all of us that we need to be ready to seek help when we need it, and to give help when it’s requested. You can save a life. You can save your own.

The Vikings have issued a statement following the sudden passing of receiver Rondale Moore, who died Saturday at age 25.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rondale Moore,” the Vikings said. “While we are working to understand the facts, we have spoken with Rondale’s family to offer our condolences and the full support of the Minnesota Vikings. We have also been in communication with our players, coaches, and staff, and will make counseling and emotional support resources available to anyone in need. Our thoughts are with Rondale’s family and friends during this devastating time.”

The Vikings issued a separate statement from coach Kevin O’Connell.

“I am devastated by the news of Rondale’s death,” O’Connell said. “While Rondale had been a member of the Vikings for a short time, he was someone we came to know well and care about deeply. He was a humble, soft-spoken, and respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots. As a player, he was disciplined, dedicated and resilient despite facing adversity multiple times as injuries sidelined him throughout his career. We are all heartbroken by the fact he won’t continue to live out his NFL dream and we won’t all have a chance to watch him flourish. My prayers are with Rondale’s family, friends, teammates and coaches as we all deal with this tragic news.”

Moore signed with the Vikings last March, after three years with the Cardinals and one with the Falcons. He was a second-round pick in 2021.

The NFL Players Association has issued a statement following the passing of Vikings receiver Rondale Moore. He was only 25.

“The NFL Players Association is devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Rondale Moore,” the union said. “This immense loss is felt deeply across our union, and we value his service as a player rep. Our condolences and prayers are with Rondale’s family, teammates, and loved one during this incredibly difficult time.

“In moments like this we are reminded of how much our players carry, on and off the field. To our members: Please know that support is always within reach. Check on your teammates and prioritize your mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to take advantage of the many confidential resources available to you through the NFLPA.”

It’s true for everyone who needs assistance of any kind. Help is available. Seek it. Give it. One simple phone call or text can make all the difference.

Vikings receiver Rondale Moore has died. He was 25.

Via WLKY in Louisville, the Floyd County Coroner confirmed Moore’s passing. Louisville coach Jeff Brohm, who coached Moore at Purdue, addressed the situation in a statement released on Saturday night.

“Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach,” Brohm said, via WLKY. “The ultimate competitor that would never back down to any challenge. Rondale has a work ethic that was unmatched by anyone. A great teammate that would come through in any situation. we all loved Rondale and we loved his smile and competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with. We offer all of our thoughts and prayers to Rondale and his family and we love him very much!!!”

A second-round pick of the Cardinals in 2021, Moore was traded to the Falcons in March 2024. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in training camp that year.

Moore signed a one-year deal with the Vikings in March 2025. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason opener against the Texans.

We extend our condolences to Moore’s family, friends, teammates, and coaches.