Falcons 2013 Salary Situation: Breaking Down Atlanta's Current Cap Status

photo courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons made some drastic, but obvious cuts to clear salary from their books heading into the new 2013 NFL calendar year.

According to Spotrac.com, Atlanta now has just over $7.29 million in cap room to play with.

General manager Thomas Dimitroff has hinted over the last few months that Atlanta wishes to spend its money on re-signing players from its 2012 roster, and so far, other than Jackson, that’s been the case. I’ll keep an eye on the proceedings and keep you updated here on how Atlanta is moving around its dollars and cents.

Here’s the breakdown of the Falcons’ cap situation.

Signings and Other Contract Moves

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March 15: TE Tony Gonzalez signed a two-year deal with the Falcons for $14 million, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The deal features $7 million of guaranteed money and his 2013 cap figure will be $5.25 million.

March 14: RB Steven Jackson signed a three-year deal worth $12 million, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The contract includes $4 million in guaranteed money.

March 13: LT Sam Baker signed a six-year deal worth $41 million, but the 2013 cap hit will only be $3 million, according to Spotrac.

March 12: TE Tony Gonzalez's deal should be worth $7 million but could be spread of two seasons to help with this year's cap, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

March 9: RG Garrett Reynolds: Two-year deal, $3.4 million, according to Spotrac. 

March 9: SS William Moore: Five-year deal, $32 million.

March 5: RB Antone Smith: Two-year deal, $1.425 million.

March 1: The Falcons released RB Michael Turner, CB Dunta Robinson and DE John Abraham to clear just over $21 million in cap space.

Tony Gonzalez Confirms 2013 Return to Falcons

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The deal hasn’t been completed yet, but Jay Glazer of Fox Sports got confirmation from Tony Gonzalez on Tuesday afternoon that he will return to the Atlanta Falcons and play in the 2013 season, putting off retirement.

Jarrett Bell of USA Today started the rumor mill buzzing early on Tuesday morning with news that Gonzalez had given his agent, Tom Condon, permission to begin negotiations with the Falcons.

Gonzalez returning to the Falcons gives quarterback Matt Ryan a three-headed, pick-your-poison offensive attack that’s very difficult for opposing defenses to stop.