Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews, who’s set to enter his seventh season in the NFL, is having a strong training camp.

“You can tell the work that he put in,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday. “He’s just hard to get. From a pass-rushing standpoint, he’s on it. In the run game, on the back side he had some specific things that he wanted to (improve).”

Matthews went to the Pro Bowl after the 2018 season, but was part of the line that gave up 50 sacks and 135 quarterback hits last season.

“He looks stronger than he has before. To me, he’s really rock solid in where he’s at, mindset, mentality to go, physically, the whole thing. It’s kind of all lining up for him.”

Matthews, who was selected sixth overall in the 2014 draft, has started 95 games. He’s started all 16 games in each of the past five seasons.

“On the left, that’s where it’s at for pass protection,” Quinn said. “That’s rule No. 1 for that position and the traits that you need.”

--

The Bow Tie Chronicles Podcasts:

Can be found on Google, iTunes and TuneIn

For more content about the Atlanta Falcons:

Follow me on Twitter @DorlandoAJC

On Facebook at Atlanta Falcons News Now

Atlanta Falcons coverage on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Have a question? Email me at dledbetter@ajc.com

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, here speaking to the media in January, has two 2025 first-round draft picks on his defense in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Credit: AP