The Falcons are about to have a new look on the right side of their offensive line.
Right tackle Tyson Clabo is about to get a pink slip from the Falcons, according to a tweet from his agent Chad Speck. Clabo has been a starter for the Falcons since joining the team in 2006, making 101 starts over seven years with the team. He’s started every game over the last five years and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2010.
That resume makes it hard to believe this is a performance-related move from the Falcons. It’s more likely part of an effort to clear cap space to put toward a contract extension for quarterback Matt Ryan. Until Clabo is officially cut loose, the Falcons have just $2.4 million in cap space at their disposal and it would seem they feel they need more. They’ll get it by excising Clabo’s $4.5 million base salary from the rolls, although it opens up a big hole on the line.
Clabo shouldn’t suffer from a lack of suitors on the open market, where he’ll join Andre Smith as the most appealing right tackles available. Teams like the Dolphins, Eagles, Texans and Cardinals have been linked with other available tackles this offseason and you’d imagine some or all of them will want a look at Clabo.