Where's Eddie Goldman? Falcons Make Mystery Move

The Atlanta Falcons are ending their rather mysterious relationship with defensive lineman Eddie Goldman as he has been placed on the "exempt/left squad list'' after being associated with the team for two seasons ... without ever having even taken a practice snap.

"It's a possibility there," coach Arthur Smith said on Friday when asked about Goldman retiring. "With Eddie, last year, he retired ... and then he actually reached out to us. ... To his credit, he looked phenomenal when he showed up the other day.

"But you just never know what somebody's going through and you're mindful. We'll do everything to help our players ... But (retirement) would be a great possibility."

Goldman, 29, has been the subject of the Falcons talking about "personal issues,'' the specifics of which have remained private. But Smith said on Saturday that Goldman will not be invited back to the Atlanta roster.

Goldman was drafted in the second round in 2015 by Chicago. He appeared in 81 games for the Bears, with 73 starts. When Goldman was part of Atlanta's plans, it made the Falcons defensive line look all the more promising, with veteran Grady Jarrett as the anchor and newly-added veterans David Onyemata and Calais Campbell also in the fold to improve what has been one of the worst defensive lines in the league past few years.