FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta's offensive line was dealt a tough blow on the final day of training camp when starting right tackle Kaleb McGary sustained a leg injury that ended his 2025 season before it began.
Further complicating matters was an ankle injury to swing tackle Storm Norton, who was McGary's primary backup. The injury was initially expected to cost Norton only a portion of the season, but he never suited up for the Falcons in 2025. That left Atlanta to enter the season with veteran journeyman Elijah Wilkinson starting on Penix's blind side.
Wilkinson ended up playing every offensive snap for the Falcons in 2025, joining Ryan Neuzil as the only two players to do so. Even with a heavy reliance on two new faces in the starting lineup, Atlanta's offensive line was still a force to be reckoned with on the ground.
Let's take a closer look at how the group did.
Roster Recap: Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end
2025 production:
| Player | Games Played | Starts | Snaps | Sacks Allowed | PFF Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Matthews | 17 | 17 | 1,062 | 5.5 | 69.7 |
| Matthew Bergeron | 15 | 15 | 912 | 1.5 | 71 |
| Ryan Neuzil | 17 | 17 | 1,096 | 0.5 | 77.4 |
| Chris Lindstrom | 17 | 17 | 1,086 | 1 | 88.4 |
| Elijah Wilkinson | 17 | 17 | 1,096 | 7 | 62.9 |
Standout stat: The Falcons' starting five linemen played 80.4% of the team's offensive snaps last season, the second-highest percentage in the league. Atlanta also had the second-fewest number of starting combinations on the offensive line.
Players under contract for 2026:
- Jake Matthews
- Matthew Bergeron
- Ryan Neuzil
- Chris Lindstrom
- Kaleb McGary
- Kyle Hinton
- Storm Norton
- Mike Jerrell
- Jack Nelson
- Andrew Stueber
2026 Free agents:
- Elijah Wilkinson
- Jovaughn Gwyn
- Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
- Ryan Hayes
Biggest question facing the position group in 2026:
How will Kaleb McGary bounce back from injury?
McGary's season-ending injury late in training camp was a setback for an offensive line group that has been remarkably consistent the last few years. And while Elijah Wilkinson performed well in his stead throughout the 2025 season, McGary's return should bolster the offense.
The former first-round pick is under contract for the next two seasons, and his abilities as a run blocker should be valued by whoever the Falcons' next head coach and general manager are. Given that McGary sustained his knee injury before the 2025 season started, he should be back up to full speed next fall.
His return would be a benefit to Atlanta's run game, which just featured a record-setting performance from Bijan Robinson. McGary's ability in the open field has and should continue to be an asset to the Falcons' outside zone attack, and he has improved as a pass protector since joining the team in 2019.
If McGary is back to form in 2026, the Falcons will once again have an offensive line that can set the tone for their offense.
