Falcons release former first-round pick Dante Fowler

After tearing his ACL in May 2015 on the first day of mini-camp, Fowler missed his entire rookie season. In 2016, the former Florida Gator made 32 tackles and recorded 11 quarterback hits, five passes defended and four sacks across 16 games.

The following year, Fowler posted 21 tackles, 10 quarterback hits, 8.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in the regular season, plus five more tackles and two sacks in the playoffs. In October 2018, Fowler was traded to the Los Angeles Rams for two future draft picks.

Fowler finished the 2018 campaign with 30 tackles, 4.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, and 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks in the postseason with the Rams as well. The native of St. Petersburg, Florida had his best season in 2019, as he set career-highs in tackles (58), tackles for a loss (16), quarterback hits (16), sacks (11.5) and passes defended (six).

Fowler signed a three-year deal with the Falcons in March 2020, but after a drop in production during his first season in Atlanta, the linebacker agreed to a pay cut heading into 2021. 

Per Falcons beat reporter Tori McElhaney, the move lowered his cap hit from $18.5 million to $10.6 million with a $6 million base salary, lowered from the original $13 million base salary he was set to receive.

"His 2022 year was also considered a void year after everything was settled," McElhaney wrote. "The contract was negotiated in a way, though, that would allow Fowler to make some money back based on his sack totals in 2021. He would get $1 million for five sacks, $2 million for seven, $3 million for nine and $4 million for 11."

The former first-round draft selection finished the 2021 season with 4.5 sacks over 14 games.