Kaleb McGary’s Critical Role as Right Tackle for Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons right tackle Kaleb McGary stands tall at 6-foot-7 and a stout 330 pounds. This season should prove big for him as he prepares to soothe the future of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and clear running lanes for electric running back Bijan Robinson. Known for his formidable run-blocking abilities, McGary’s performance will be crucial in executing offensive coordinator Zac Robinson’s scheme, which features the quarterback taking snaps out of the shotgun and pistol formation.

Despite his impressive physical stature and skill set, McGary has faced challenges due to a lingering left ankle injury that has plagued him for several seasons. This ailment prevented him from participating in OTAs and minicamp. As a result, alarm bells started ringing over his preparedness for the regular season.

Coach Raheem Morris remains optimistic about McGary’s situation, expressing confidence in the right tackle’s ability to perform at a high level. “You do still have some other things [to be concerned about as a right tackle] for sure, but I have so much confidence in Kaleb and his ability to go out there and play at a high level no matter what side he’s blocking on,” Morris stated.

You can see the camaraderie between first-year center McGary and Pro Bowl right guard Chris Lindstrom. Their continuing connection will be instrumental in the Falcons’ offensive line’s success this season. Their chemistry on the right side should raise the others around them and created a relentless pace that was at times suffocating. Lindstrom recently praised Robinson, calling him a “physical tone-setter in the run game” who does things to defenders that are “unfathomable in the NFL.”

>No one knows better about how impactful McGary can be on the field than Robinson himself. During his rookie season, Robinson took a handoff from former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. Running to his right on this play against the New Orleans Saints. He recalled a play, specifically when McGary threw a ferocious pancake block. The explosion was strong enough to clang the Saints linebacker out of his path entirely.

I really turned to the dude and was like, ‘What in the world?!’ Robinson reflected on the impressive block. He still recalls clearly, “I was running and then he passed him.” I was like, ‘Oh.’ I like to think I ran with the speed of a hundred cheetahs. You could hear this dude hit the pavement. When he landed, it knocked the breath completely out of him. When he finally got back off the floor, he yelled, “Hey Bigfoot, don’t you ever pitch me like that again!” And Kaleb was just like, ‘Never cross me again.’

McGary has been resting and recovering his sprained ankle. Nonetheless, he argues that his preparation for next season hasn’t changed much at all. It’s always not trying to give up that first sack,” he said of his mentality as a right tackle. His fierce resolve carries through to his desire to come up with ways to keep Penix Jr. safe and upright on Saturdays.

Moving forward, McGary stands by his commitment to the 2023 season first, contract talks or issues with his health second. “You’ll never find somebody more willing to be paid in all your life, trust me,” he stated. “I’m not really worried about it. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m scared this new season. If I can’t do my job well enough, then there should be zero worry about it in the first place. So, I’m one track producer at a time. That’s all.

As McGary prepares to take on an even more critical role next to Lindstrom, all eyes may shift to the right side of the Falcons’ O-line with Penix Jr. in front of them.