Atlanta just pulled a move that’s got everyone from fans to analysts doing a double-take. The Falcons reportedly cut offensive tackle Wanya Morris on Sunday, a decision that’s straight-up baffling considering they literally just traded a draft pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for him earlier this summer. You don’t see this kind of flip-flop every day, and it’s leaving a lot of questions in its wake.
The Road to Morris
To really get this, we gotta rewind a bit. Remember back in April, the Falcons got hit with a curveball when veteran offensive tackle Kaleb McGary officially retired from the NFL? That was a huge deal, man. McGary was a beast, picked 31st overall in the 2019 draft, and he was a rock on that right side of the offensive line alongside Chris Lindstrom. Those two helped forge some of the league’s best rushing attacks. So when he stepped away, it left a massive void. Atlanta’s trying to finally get over the hump after missing the playoffs for several seasons, with a young offense ready to make some noise, but their defense and line play are always going to be major factors. Filling that O-line gap was critical.
The “Low-Risk” Trade and the High-Risk Release
That’s exactly why the trade for Wanya Morris seemed so smart at the time. The Falcons sent a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Chiefs and got Morris plus a 2027 seventh-rounder in return. Morris was a Super Bowl champion and brought actual starter experience from his time with Kansas City. ESPN even called it a “good, low-risk move” for Atlanta, bringing in depth with the potential to eventually become a starter. Everyone figured this guy was a lock for the roster, a solid addition to help shore up the line after McGary’s exit.
The Head-Scratcher
But then came Sunday. The Falcons announced they were releasing Morris, and you could practically hear the collective gasp. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler posted it was “surprising, given Atlanta traded for him over summer,” and he’s not wrong. This isn’t just a guy getting cut; this is a guy they gave up a draft pick for! Morris was also entering the final year of his $5 million rookie contract. It absolutely “hurts” Atlanta, not just because of the wasted draft capital, but because it shows a clear misjudgment. The official reason? He “did not perform well enough during the preseason to secure his spot.” The Falcons, apparently, just “felt it could not ignore what it saw during the preseason.” So, after months of anticipation, a draft pick, and a $5 million contract, Wanya Morris is out. Wild.
For a team like Atlanta, desperately trying to climb back into contention with that young offense and a defense that needs to perform, moves like this just create more questions. They’re still hoping to finally get over the hump, but you gotta wonder how much roster turbulence like this impacts the team’s ability to gel. This season’s success for Atlanta will heavily rely on that defense stepping up and the entire squad finding some stability. They’ll need to sort out that offensive line fast if they want to make a statement.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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