The work is just beginning for the Atlanta Falcons. The team has officially fired head coach Mike Smith and owner Arthur Blank has begun a search for his replacement immediately. While that might be the most pressing issue for the Falcons, the team has several players approaching free agency that need to be looked at before they have the chance to hit the market. With Julio Jones needing a contract extension while top defenders see their deals expiring, who stays and who goes in 2015?
The coaching search is just the start of a big offseason for the Falcons. While the team will have a top-ten draft pick to work with come the spring, free agency will play a very large part in the bigger picture for Atlanta. Several key players have the chance to walk away in the offseason and Atlanta must decide which ones get priority in contract extensions.
The first move made will likely be to say goodbye to Steven Jackson. The veteran running back never truly stood out in his two-year tenure and age is a factor in his return. The Falcons have Devonta Freeman ready to play in his place while they decide whether to bring back both Jacquizz Rodges and Antone Smith. The release of Jackson is a foregone conclusion at this point given the weakness in the running back market.
The defensive side of the ball has a lot of question marks. Sean Weatherspoon is approaching free agents after missing all season with a torn Achilles. The linebacker is a talent on the field, the issues is that over the past two seasons, he has barely been there. Weatherspoon could return to Atlanta if he is willing to accept a smaller contracts with incentives. Corey Peters will be in the same boat as injuries have hurt his career with the team.
Kroy Biermann, Josh Wilson, Dwight Lowry and Robert McClain all need contracts as well and the likelihood of all four returning are slim. They have all shown flashes of talent and playmaking abilities this season, but consistency was an issue much like it was with the rest of the roster. The Falcons have a lot of decisions to make in order to jumpstart a proper rebuilding under a new coaching regime. Thomas Dimitroff's job was spared which means he must prove he is worthy of sticking around.