Takkarist McKinley's 5th-Year Contract Option Declined by Falcons

Takkarist McKinley could become an unrestricted free agent next offseason after the Atlanta Falcons declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract.  

McKinley announced the Falcons' decision on Twitter:

McKinley becomes the first Falcons player not to have his fifth-year option picked up since the rookie wage scale was implemented in 2011, per Over the Cap's Hardik Sanghavi. 

Atlanta traded up with the Seattle Seahawks during the 2017 NFL Draft to select McKinley with the 27th overall pick. The hope was he would be able to upgrade the team's pass-rush coming off an appearance in the Super Bowl the previous season. 

McKinley got off to a promising start with seven tackles for loss and six sacks as a rotation player during his rookie year. He recorded a career-high 15 quarterback hits and seven sacks in 2018. 

Last season was a step back for McKinley, despite starting 13 games. The California native finished fourth on Atlanta's defense with seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.