Falcons starting RT McGary retiring at age 31

Q: Why is Kaleb McGary retiring from the NFL?

Kaleb McGary is retiring at age 31 after missing the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury.

Q: How many games did Kaleb McGary start during his NFL career?

Kaleb McGary started 92 games over six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons.

Q: Who will replace Kaleb McGary on the Falcons' offensive line?

The Falcons have not announced a specific replacement for Kaleb McGary on their offensive line following his retirement.

Atlanta Falcons starting right tackle Kaleb McGary is retiring, his agent, Collin Roberts, announced on social media.

McGary, 31, missed the entire 2025 season with a knee injury suffered on the final day of training camp.

Congrats to Kaleb McGary on his retirement and an amazing career. pic.twitter.com/Nb9M3Fmlw0

— Collin Roberts (@collinbroberts) April 8, 2026

He was scheduled to cover the blind side of left-handed quarterback Michael Penix Jr. last season and was slotted in that role again in 2026, for both Penix and fellow left-hander Tua Tagovailoa.

McGary started 92 games over six seasons in Atlanta. An elite run blocker, he was part of an offensive line that had some of the best continuity in the NFL and helped Bijan Robinson to become one of the league's best running backs.

The Falcons signed McGary to a two-year, $30 million contract extension last summer. Atlanta will be able to recoup at least some of that for salary cap relief with McGary's retirement.

McGary's backup Storm Norton also missed all of last season with an ankle injury. He could be asked to step up as the starter this season, but the Falcons are likely to be in the market for a right tackle, either in free agency or the draft.