Falcons Sign Chargers DE Joe Gaziano; What's His Role?
The Atlanta Falcons are continuing to add to their pass rush.
The team announced Monday that it has signed former Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joe Gaziano.
Gaziano, 26, went undrafted during the 2020 NFL Draft, but found a home with the Chargers as a free agent. In the past three seasons, the former Northwestern product has shuffled between the practice squad and active roster.
Gaziano has played in 21 NFL games over the course of his three-year career, playing in 14 games in the 2021 campaign. Last season, Gaziano made just five appearances for the Chargers.
Now, Gaziano joins the Falcons, a team in need of depth at the defensive end position. Gaziano recorded his first NFL sack last season with the Chargers and could look to try and become part of the Atlanta pass rush this offseason.
The Falcons finished dead last in sacks in 2021 and made minimal improvement as the 31st-best team in the category in 2022.
While Gaziano may not be a huge difference-maker for the Falcons, he'll add support and depth to a unit that already features Lorenzo Carter, Arnold Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone. He'll compete alongside the incoming rookies and any other prospective free agents the team signs for one of the final roster spots.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Falcons? Click Here.
Follow Falcon Report on Twitter.
Want even more Atlanta Falcons news? Check out the SI.com team page here
