When wide receiver Taylor Gabriel came to the Atlanta Falcons in 2016, he became an an instant weapon in Matt Ryan’s arsenal. His seven touchdown and 579 yards helped in Ryan’s MVP campaign and the Falcons’ Super Bowl LI berth.
However, after a down year, the impending free agent understands his time in Atlanta could be coming to an end because that is just the way the NFL works.
"I love the Falcons but, like I always say, it's a business, man," Gabriel told ESPN. "You never know what's going on upstairs and things like that. But I love the Falcons. I'm very grateful for the opportunity that they gave me."
The Falcons claimed Gabriel at the start of 2016 after he was cut by Cleveland. He became a nice third option in the Falcons passing attack, pulling eyes away from Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu. But just like the rest of the Falcons offense in 2017, hit numbers took a hit. He only accumulated 378 yards and one touchdown.
“Going to a Super Bowl with those guys in that locker room, the brotherhood and being a part of that, that's a blessing, man. That's why I said I want to be a Falcon forever. That's something special. That's something that you don't get going from team to team. And that's a brotherhood that I'll forever, forever remember if I'm with them or if I'm not with them,” Gabriel said.
Prioritizing a new contract for Gabriel this offseason may not happen with the Falcons other financial commitments, which included extending Ryan and safety Ricardo Allen, and possibly bringing back Dontari Poe to help bolster the defensive line.
