Falcons Release McCloud After ‘Excused Absence’

The Atlanta Falcons have parted ways with wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III, releasing him outright after he was sent home last week for what the team described as an excused absence. The announcement, made by the team on Tuesday, brings an abrupt end to McCloud’s tenure in Atlanta, which began with high hopes during the 2024 offseason.

Head Coach Raheem Morris initially characterized the situation surrounding McCloud’s absence as a private matter between the player and the team. Speaking to the media last Friday, Morris emphasized that the decision to send McCloud home was not necessarily disciplinary in nature, leaving the exact reasons shrouded in mystery.

The sequence of events leading up to McCloud’s release began in Week 6, when he was a surprise healthy scratch for the Falcons’ "Monday Night Football" victory over the Buffalo Bills. This unexpected move raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike, as McCloud had been expected to play a role in the team’s offensive scheme.

Following the game against the Bills, McCloud was sent home for reasons that Morris declined to divulge. As a result, he was listed as inactive for the Falcons’ Week 7 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, a game that held particular significance for McCloud, as the 49ers were his former team.

Despite his absence from the team, McCloud publicly expressed his support for the Falcons on social media. On Saturday, he posted a message on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that he "wanted this one bad" with his teammates, indicating his desire to be on the field for the game against his former squad.

The timing of McCloud’s absence and subsequent release has led to speculation about the underlying factors at play. Some observers have questioned whether the situation was related to the recent firing of Falcons wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard, who was let go after the team’s 30-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3.

McCloud and Hilliard had a close relationship, and Hilliard’s presence in Atlanta was reportedly a significant factor in McCloud’s decision to sign with the Falcons. After Hilliard’s firing, McCloud expressed his disappointment, describing Hilliard as the best coach he had ever had and lamenting the lack of loyalty in the NFL.

However, Coach Morris has denied any connection between Hilliard’s departure and McCloud’s situation. Speaking to reporters last week, Morris stated that McCloud’s absence from the team was "more a football thing," suggesting that the reasons were related to on-field performance or team dynamics.

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Ray-Ray McCloud III, 29, is coming off a career year in 2024, when he recorded 62 receptions for 686 yards and a touchdown. He started 13 games and was expected to be a key contributor to the Falcons’ offense this season. However, in four games this season, McCloud had just six catches for 64 yards.

The Falcons’ decision to release McCloud raises questions about the team’s wide receiver depth and offensive strategy moving forward. With McCloud now off the roster, other players will need to step up and fill the void in the receiving corps.

The team will likely look to players like Drake London, Mack Hollins, and Scotty Miller to take on larger roles in the passing game. It remains to be seen how the Falcons’ offense will adjust to McCloud’s absence and whether they will seek to add another receiver through free agency or a trade.

McCloud’s release also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the NFL, where players can be released or traded at any time, even after signing lucrative contracts or having successful seasons. The league’s competitive environment and constant roster churn can be challenging for players, who must always be ready to adapt to new situations and prove their worth.

As for McCloud, he will now become a free agent and will be eligible to sign with any team in the league. He will likely draw interest from teams seeking a veteran receiver with experience as a punt and kick returner. His ability to contribute on special teams could make him an attractive option for teams looking to improve their return game.

The Falcons’ decision to release McCloud marks the end of a short and ultimately disappointing chapter in his career. After arriving in Atlanta with high expectations, McCloud failed to make a significant impact on the team’s offense and ultimately fell out of favor with the coaching staff.

Whether McCloud can revive his career with another team remains to be seen. He will need to prove that he can still contribute at a high level and overcome any concerns that teams may have about his recent struggles.

In the meantime, the Falcons will move forward without McCloud, focusing on developing their other receivers and finding ways to improve their offensive performance. The team will need to address the void left by McCloud’s departure and ensure that they have enough depth and talent at the wide receiver position to compete in the NFC South.