McGary, a 2019 first-round pick out of Washington, arrived as the final piece of Atlanta’s trio of key linemen, along with long-serving tackle Jake Matthews to provide the Falcons with letter tackles, while veteran center Alex Mack manned the middle. McGary became a fixture along Atlanta’s front five, starting 92 of 93 games from 2019-2024 and emerging on the right side despite frequent quarterback changes.
McGary’s reputation as a reliable tackle took a turn for the worse in 2025 when he suffered a lower left leg injury late in training camp that required a cart to get off the field. For the first time in his career, McGary didn’t appear in double-digit games in a season and missed the entire campaign due to the injury, an especially unfortunate outcome since he had just signed a contract extension through 2027.
These would ultimately be McGary’s final films as a professional. He walks away with seven seasons protecting various quarterbacks, including Ryan, Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. on his resume, which he can be proud of as he strolls into retirement.
Atlanta reshuffled their O-line following McGary’s injury last season with a starting left-handed QB at the helm. That issue remains as Tua Tagovailoa enters the lineup in 2026.