Flowery Branch, Ga. (June 8, 2025) — Atlanta Falcons center Ryan Neuzil has opened up following the signing of a two-year, $9.5 million contract extension on May 28—an affirmation of his rise from undrafted rookie to a key piece on the offensive line.
Neuzil, 27, officially agreed to terms that include $6.25 million guaranteed, securing his role as the Falcons’ starting center for at least the next two seasons.
Gaining Stability After OTA Uncertainty
Throughout the offseason program—even participating in OTAs—Neuzil remained without a signed deal while the Falcons applied a right-of-first-refusal tender. Now, standing on the practice field with his helmet off but a big grin on his face, Neuzil described the moment of finally getting the deal done as “definitely a nice thing” .
From Practice Squad to Starting Five
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent from Appalachian State in 2021, Neuzil spent his rookie year on the practice squad. He made his NFL debut midway through 2022 and steadily worked his way into the lineup. Last season, he tallied 346 pass-block snaps with just one allowed sack and 10 total pressures—earning him eight starts when former starter Drew Dalman went on injured reserve .
A “Blessing” and a Vote of Confidence
Emphasizing his loyalty to Atlanta’s culture, Neuzil said staying in one place helped him grow:
“Just the culture … know the system, know the guys, and just have good relationship with everybody”.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris and OL coach Dwayne Ledford have expressed confidence in Neuzil’s performance. Ledford praised his combination of power and quickness, while veteran guard Chris Lindstrom—a left-handed center is a rarity—called him a “unicorn”.
What’s Next
With Drew Dalman departing for the Chicago Bears, concluding the Falcons’ uncertainty at center, Neuzil is now firmly the starter for the 2025 season.
His blend of athleticism, reliability, and team chemistry make him a key figure in bolstering the offensive line, especially under first-year QB Michael Penix Jr.
Bottom line: What began as a lingering offseason question mark was resolved with a two-year contract that cements Neuzil as Atlanta’s center of the future. Now, after earning the starting role through grit and chemistry, he’s ready to anchor the line.
