FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — In a season that introduced many new faces, the Atlanta Falcons' offensive line room remained familiar.
The Falcons not only retained position coach Dwayne Ledford in 2024, but they also kept all their starters from 2023. From left to right, there was tackle Jake Matthews, guard Matthew Bergeron, center Drew Dalman, guard Chris Lindstrom and tackle Kaleb McGary. It was their second season altogether, an anomaly in the league.
Well, they were almost altogether.
Dalman injured his ankle during the Falcons' Week 3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and was placed on injured reserve. He missed eight games as a result, leaving backup Ryan Neuzil to step up and into the starting role. But it wasn't like Neuzil was a new face, either. He returned from the 2023 season, too.
Neuzil held his own, working solely with quarterback Kirk Cousins. It was Dalman who had to deal with the position change behind him. Dalman began the season with Cousins, but then rookie Michael Penix Jr. took over in Week 16.
Nonetheless, the Falcons had a top-10 run offense for the third consecutive season, totaling 2,219 yards to place right at No. 10 in the NFL. Their 4,068 yards passing put the Falcons at No. 5 in the league, which is a milestone last reached in 2020.
Atlanta scored 28 total touchdowns – eight rushing, 20 passing.
When it came to protecting the passer, regardless of who it was, the Falcons allowed 32 sacks in total. That ties them for seventh fewest in the NFL.
And when it comes to the operation, the Falcons had 99 penalties overall. That also ties them for seventh fewest in the league. The offensive line was responsible for 25 of those, so only about a quarter among seven players.
As a unit, the offensive line performed well in 2024, even with an injury to a starter. There's, of course, always room for improvement. But that's with any position.
Also, one major bright side since the season ended has been the recognition Lindstrom has garnered, so far earning Pro Bowl, NFLPA All-Pro first-team and AP All-Pro second-team honors.
Notable returners: Chris Lindstrom, Matthew Bergeron, Jake Matthews, Kaleb McGary
Free agents: Drew Dalman, Ryan Neuzil, Storm Norton, Kyle Hinton, Elijah Wilkinson, Brandon Parker
2024 production:
- Jake Matthews: 17 starts, 17 appearances | 5 penalties | 7 sacks allowed | 1-on-1 blocks 79% of the time, double-team blocks 21% of the time
- Matthew Bergeron: 17 starts, 17 appearances | 5 penalties | 6 sacks allowed | 1-on-1 blocks 51.1% of the time, double-team blocks 48.9% of the time
- Drew Dalman: 9 starts, 9 appearances | 0 penalties | 2 sacks allowed | 1-on-1 blocks 45.4% of the time, double-team blocks 54.6% of the time
- Ryan Neuzil: 8 starts, 17 appearances | 6 penalties | 1 sack allowed | 1-on-1 blocks 36.1% of the time, double-team blocks 63.9% of the time
- Chris Lindstrom: 17 starts, 17 appearances | 4 penalties | 1 sack allowed | 1-on-1 blocks 52.8% of the time, double-team blocks 47.2% of the time
- Kaleb McGary: 16 starts, 16 appearances | 3 penalties | 7 sacks allowed | 1-on-1 blocks 82.1% of the time, double-team blocks 17.9% of the time
*Note: Sack and block stats courtesy of Next Gen Stats.
Biggest question facing the position group in 2025: Who will be the Falcons' starting center?
Both Dalman and Neuzil are free agents. Dalman is unrestricted, which means he's free to negotiate and sign with any team. Neuzil is restricted, so his freedom is a little more dependent on the Falcons.
Dalman has been in Atlanta since the Falcons selected him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He wasn't a starter as a rookie but played in every game. He took over as a starter in his second season and has held that role ever since.
Though Dalman refused to speak on contract matters earlier this month, he had nothing but positive things to say about his time with the Falcons.
"It's been an awesome experience, and I hope it continues and all that," Dalman said. "Playing with incredible teammates over the years and having incredible coaches, I've enjoyed and savored every bit of it."
Neuzil, meanwhile, joined the Falcons as an undrafted rookie in 2021, spending time on the practice squad and active rosters since then. His eight starts in 2024 were a single-season high. Overall, he has 12 starts and 42 appearances under his belt.
So, Dalman and Neuzil have each proven to be capable center options moving forward. But Atlanta very well could look elsewhere, like in free agency or even the draft. There's no telling at the moment, but considering the Falcons saw a positive impact in remaining consistent in personnel from 2023 to 2024, who is to say they couldn't bring both back in 2025, too? It's worth considering.
