The Atlanta Falcons are slowly starting to set their focus to next season as the playoffs continue to fall further out of reach. The team entered the year with raised expectations and has failed to reach them through nine weeks of the season. Things have not gone according to plan which leaves the team to begin thinking about free agency and expiring contracts. The run game will become a priority in the 2015 offeason as three of the four backs have expiring contracts.
The Falcons will have to decide who stays and who goes in the ground game. Devonta Freeman obviously stays put. Atlanta has high hopes for the rookie who has barely seen the field thanks to an overall poor display from the offense each week. So who gets priority in contract talks between Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers and Antone Smith? Jackson has the impressive resume topped with two years of disappointment. Rodgers is coming off his rookie contract and has seen highs and lows during that tenure. Smith has been the breakout star on the few carries he gets a game. After comments from Arthur Blank, it appears Smith might get the first contract.
"It's incredible to see his performance," Blank said, via ESPN.com. "And it's actually really interesting because I really hadn't paid a lot of attention to it, but he's been to several other clubs in the NFL. You really wonder what it is in a player's career that at a certain point in time, they blossom and they just trigger and go. And he's obviously doing that now. He really epitomizes everything you want in a team player. It's not about self; it's always about team. It's always about doing whatever I can do to contribute."
Smith should come relatively cheap for the Falcons. The running is earning just under $800,000 this season and while he is not expecting some bank-breaking new deal, he would prefer a raise. Now the debate comes down to Rodgers and Jackson. The Falcons brought on Jackson last season in hopes that the veteran could continue his streak of 1,000-yard seasons. However, instead they got an array of injuries and inconsistencies. Given his age and low stats, it is unlikely that Jackson returns with a new deal. Rodgers could be in the same boat.
The running back market is very weak and the Falcons could easily grab someone off the market that is younger with fresher legs. They could also try and draft another rookie, giving the team a very young rotation for next year.
