Atlanta Falcons Secure Drake London With Fifth-Year Option

Atlanta’s new star is here to stay—at least through 2026. The Atlanta Falcons have made one thing certain and absolute about the future of their wide receiving corps. Drake London is an offensive centerpiece of theirs, and they plan on keeping it that way. The team has picked up London’s fifth-year option, keeping the young star under contract through the 2026 season. After a breakout campaign in 2024, it’s little wonder the Falcons went in this direction. It also fuels speculation that a long-term extension might be on the horizon.

London, who turned 24 this offseason, already boasts over 3,000 receiving yards in his young career. What was once a tantalizing pick is now a no-brainer for Atlanta’s front office. The question is no longer whether London is worth the investment—it’s how far his rising star can take the Falcons as they finally solidify the quarterback position.

Falcons Locking In Fifth Year For London

The fifth-year option will pay London a fully guaranteed $16.817 million in 2026, a steep but well-deserved price tag for a player who became one of the NFL’s top receivers last season. Atlanta was the last team with a top-10 pick from the 2022 draft that had not publicly declared their decision, leading many to speculate that negotiations on a long-term extension might be underway behind the scenes. Even if that remains the case, having the option exercised gives the Falcons flexibility—and leverage—moving forward.

It also sends a message. The Falcons view London as a building block for the future. His performance in 2024, along with his professionalism and leadership, made it a no-brainer. He ranked ninth in receptions, fourth in receiving yards, and ninth in touchdowns among all pass-catchers last season. That kind of production, especially with a new quarterback duo in Kirk Cousins and rookie Michael Penix Jr., only works to highlight the point that London can thrive regardless of who is throwing snaps his way—as long as he is getting good quarterback play.

A Rock-Solid Start With Room To Grow

London’s first two years were a case of talent intersecting with chaotic circumstances. Drafted eighth overall in 2022 out of USC, London showed star flashes but was undermined by a quarterback revolving door of Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke. Despite that, he still posted back-to-back 800+ yard seasons, showcasing his toughness, elite catch radius, and contested-ball-winning presence on the outside.

All of that changed, however, in year 3. As Cousins provided veteran leadership and Penix Jr. arrived late in the season, London broke out in a huge fashion—100 catches, 1,271 yards, and 9 touchdowns. His chemistry with Penix was especially promising, as London hauled in 22 catches for 352 yards and two touchdowns in only three games with the rookie quarterback. That three-game stretch translates to a full-season pace that would eclipse his 2024 totals, a sign the best may still be ahead.

Off the field, London has been a tone-setter. He’s been commended for his accountability, fire, and work ethic—intangibles that don’t always get attention but are invaluable within a young locker room. With 241 catches, 3,042 yards, and 15 touchdowns in just 50 career games, London is already 17th in franchise history in receiving yards. He is on a trajectory that will one day see him mentioned in the same breath as all-time Falcons greats Julio Jones and Roddy White.

Final Thoughts

London has been everything Atlanta hoped when they used a top-10 pick on him. The fifth-year option is a no-brainer move that gives the Falcons a bit more time to get a longer agreement signed, sealed, and delivered. London’s breakout season is indicative of superstar potential—and that’s with even more upside remaining to be developed. With a developing rapport with Penix Jr., the future in Atlanta is starting to look bright, and London is at the forefront of it.