The Atlanta Falcons are very active in NFL free agency. Although it seems they’ve lost running back Tyler Allgeier to the Cardinals, the Falcons are bringing in receivers Jahan Dotson, Olamide Zaccheus, and Austin Hooper to help solidify the receiving corps.
Also on Monday, according to multiple reports, the Falcons are signing kicker Nick Folk and punter Jake Bailey to solidify the special teams group. Nick Folk is 41-years-old and is earning a two-year deal. He’s back for his 20th NFL season as a placekicker. This is perhaps the Falcons’ best signing so far, considering the team’s kicking struggles in 2025. With the New York Jets last season, Folk made 28-of-29 field goals (96.6%) and was a perfect 22-for-22 on extra points.
Falcons Sign Former Nick Folk and Punter Jake Bailey
GettyKicker Nick Folk.
Nick Folk was a Pro Bowler in 2007 with the Dallas Cowboys, but has strengthened in the past seasons. Since 2023 with the Tennessee Titans, he has consistently made 96% of his field goals. In fact, Folk has only missed three goals in 71 attempts, which is pretty stellar for a 40-year-old.
As for Jake Bailey, he is a seven-year NFL punter who spent the first four years of his career with the New England Patriots before joining the Miami Dolphins. Over the last two seasons, Bailey has averaged 47.1 yards on his punts. His deal is three years for $9 million.
Over Nick Folk’s career, he’s made 341 field goals over 407 attempts (85%).
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What Do These Signings Mean for Atlanta?
The Atlanta Falcons are having an active NFL free agency thus far.
As for these special teams signings, it’s two huge additions for Atlanta, especially bringing in Nick Folk, who will now enjoy the luxury of kicking in a dome.
Atlanta is know as a team in the NFL that plays very close games, and sometimes games are decided by extra points and clutch field goals.
In 2025, the Falcons and their fans went through the ringer with the place kicker position. Younghoe Koo appeared to get the proverbial “yips” for a kicker, which is just performance anxiety, and it caused him to miss several important kicks in close games.
The Falcons are showing an early willingness to spend some money in free agency, which can pay dividends if the signings pan out. Atlanta hasn’t made like a blockbuster add, but adding Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheus are good additions to the receiver room, and then these two special teams signings should help shore up any inconsistencies the team has had in the past few years.
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Falcons Shore Up Special Teams with Nick Folk, Jake Bailey Signings