Falcons' Kaleb McGary Announces NFL Retirement After Significant Leg Injury

Atlanta Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary is retiring from the NFL after six seasons, his agent Collin Roberts told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

McGary, 31, last played during the 2024 season. He missed the 2025 campaign after suffering a season-ending left leg injury during training camp last August.

The Falcons initially drafted McGary with the No. 31 pick in 2019. He will close out his NFL career having appeared in 93 total games as a six-year starter for the franchise.

McGary suffered his injury just weeks after signing a contract extension with the Falcons through 2027.

The 31-year-old was signed for a cap hit of just under $15 million next season, per Over the Cap.

McGary had $13.49 million remaining in guaranteed salary, in addition to $3 million in remaining prorated signing bonus, according to Over the Cap.

That $3 million could accelerated onto the Falcons' 2026 cap unless the franchise asks McGary to pay any of it back.

McGary was on the field for every offensive snap the Falcons played in 2021 and 2022. He appeared in 16 games while playing 96 percent of Atlanta's offensive snap during his final NFL season in 2024.

The news of McGary's retirement comes just over a week after Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters the tackle could potentially return in time for training camp, per ESPN's Marc Raimondi.

Building a strong offensive line for next season will be to the Falcons' hopes of protecting either Michael Penix or Tua Tagovailoa. Both are left-handers who need a right tackle for their blind side, and both have had their careers recently derailed by serious injuries.

The Falcons' right tackle depth chart is now led by Storm Norton, who also missed the entirety of the 2025 season after suffering an ankle injury in August.

Norton's health status and the organization's confidence in his play could impact whether the Falcons decide to add some offensive line help with one of their five picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft, starting with the No. 48 selection in Round 2.