The Falcons released cornerback Casey Hayward on Friday, just one year after signing the veteran to a two-year contract. The move saves Atlanta $5 million in salary cap space, leaving the team with just under $14 million for 2023.
Hayward’s release wasn’t a total surprise based on the Falcons’ recent additions. The team traded for former No. 3 pick Jeff Okudah, who was likely to start opposite A.J. Terrell next season. The 33-year-old Hayward appeared in six games last year before suffering a torn pectoral muscle.
Falcons fans on Twitter are convinced the team will draft a cornerback with the No. 8 pick now that Hayward has been released.
Thank you Casey Heyward. It was great having as part of the #Falcons family. I wish you well. https://t.co/DCpLhuLG4c
— Playoff Contenders (@tobyd1991) April 21, 2023
And with the 8th pick in the NFL draft the @AtlantaFalcons select….Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon https://t.co/nwbzPcCL1U pic.twitter.com/B3Y8uIUQZY
— Broadway Blue Bleeder (@Moorehead_DT) April 21, 2023
One step closer https://t.co/vU2iSmsNJg pic.twitter.com/c6UrvSzkXe
— De’Shawn (@ff_moonvibes) April 21, 2023
This is a potentially important caveat with the Falcons releasing Casey Hayward today.
He was released with a failed physical designation.
He was out for the season last year after injuring his pec.
— Michael Rothstein (@mikerothstein) April 21, 2023
Team didn’t do him any favors with the timing of the move.
Reading a bit deeper: Signals a shift towards the man heavy coverages many of us predicted. https://t.co/p1LhA9W3OJ
— Kenny G. (@Gritz_Blitz) April 21, 2023
Welp… it’s Gonzalez 😂 https://t.co/KVGum3A7ek
— Lt Dan (@UnGr_Show) April 21, 2023
Yeahhh saw that one coming unfortunately. Got very crowded in the CB room after the acquisitions of both Hughes and Okudah. https://t.co/kFpCK90CDN
— Ev Glaze (@Everett_G07) April 21, 2023
Hate to say saw this coming. Thought the agent connection might keep him around this year. But business is business I guess. https://t.co/8ReuShqTuZ
— J.R. Clark #P4PATL (@grimm1128) April 21, 2023
I REALLY wanna pull some receipts when I posted my thought on the DB room and some of y’all had some choice words for me when I didn’t have Casey as a starter lol https://t.co/b3wsn1cvHp
— 7s Damski 🍑 (@Damski32) April 21, 2023
I knew it was coming! https://t.co/glaIoTM0bM
— Tyson Smith (@tysonakatc) April 21, 2023
Christian Gonzalez is that you https://t.co/l9LXRqqAw6 pic.twitter.com/468n0AQMC0
— Steven Padillas (@Falcons_Pad) April 21, 2023
Gonzalez at 8 is back on! #DirtyBirds https://t.co/ArCDm6b37i
— Tom G (@touchdowntomgbn) April 21, 2023
It's not really a big surprise, Casey was a good addition last season and he played well before he got hurt. But he is around 33 and we don't know how fully he's going to recover from his injury. And we're going to be playing more man this season and Casey is more zone CB not man
— Music Lover (@JarvaseDundy) April 21, 2023
If bro ain’t making the physical I don’t want him https://t.co/f7OeILYGIy
— behindthebackboard (@BradyBuchheit) April 21, 2023
Nolan Smith and Kelee Ringo in rounds 1 and 2 sounds just fine to me https://t.co/CymBVP7TRq
— Dylan Short (@dylanxshort) April 21, 2023
So Gonzo still in play huh? https://t.co/l1tF1vvYSF
— God Mode Activated 😤 (@MrMagnus11) April 21, 2023
Talk to me nice https://t.co/75Mr4BpNL3 pic.twitter.com/yJvv1yIt70
— Chris Harvey (@iChrisHarv) April 21, 2023
If CB1 on ATL’s board is available at 8 that’s still very possible, Okudah basically only has 1 more year left https://t.co/mkzCNIV5bW
— FFYT🎱 (@_FootballFilms_) April 21, 2023
😳 yea we taking CB at 8 https://t.co/hAp8woSh6V
— 1TakeTay👣 (@tayy_laflare) April 21, 2023
Damn this kinda hurts. I liked Casey a lot. Was a big influence on getting Jessie to Atl. https://t.co/kx1w3fPQof
— ATL Will (@ATLWill_) April 21, 2023
Figured this move was coming sooner or later https://t.co/oNdqOBFkjr
— Phoenix NoGravity (@phoenixthaboss) April 21, 2023
I had him pegged on his way out after the Okudah, Hughes & Armstrong signings. Aloha Casey https://t.co/PQqebtx8sV
— Kai Ching (@FalconInHawaii) April 21, 2023
WE’RE BACK https://t.co/7w0plzVT08 pic.twitter.com/3UBbiOn01x
— Jake #DirtyBirds Ridder Activist and 102 others (@JakeyIce02) April 21, 2023
Needed money for Evans, there was no way we were gonna get a good enough linebacker drafted that would’ve gotten tackles for us. https://t.co/XsvPhig0Bx
— 🅿️𝖑𝖆𝖞𝖇𝖔𝖎 🅿️𝖚𝖋𝖋𝖊𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖌 🇺🇬 (@FalconsGotNext2) April 21, 2023
WELCOME HOME CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ https://t.co/WNX8eQbyHa
— tick (14-5) (@tickywrId) April 21, 2023
