Falcons’ Star Guard Chris Lindstrom Sheds Positive Light on Jalen Mayfield

Falcons


Getty

Kyle Pitts #8 of the Atlanta Falcons participates in a drill with Jalen Mayfield #77.

Atlanta Falcons 2021 third-round pick Jalen Mayfield has been taking a lot of heat on social media for “underperforming,” but little do we know what’s going on behind the scenes.

Mayfield missed the Falcons’ first regular-season practice with an illness, according to head coach Arthur Smith. Prior to that, he had been dealing with a back injury, which caused him to miss some practice.

Due to his absences this offseason and overall lack of production from his rookie campaign, there has been speculation and a huge uproar from the Falcons’ fanbase that the team could move on from Mayfield and should move on from Mayfield.

But newsflash–––the Falcons are not going to listen to the fanbase unless you’re asking for Cordarelle Patterson, of course.

ALL the latest Falcons news straight to your inbox! Join the Heavy on Falcons newsletter here!

Join Heavy on Falcons!


Chris Lindstrom Admires Jalen Mayfield’s Work Ethic

With Mayfield entering just his second year under his rookie contract, the Falcons are highly unlikely to move on from the Michigan product.

And the Falcons’ offensive line leader, Chris Lindstrom, wants a guy like him on the roster.

“Jalen, you know, Jalen is a great teammate,” Lindstrom said after practice on Tuesday, August 29. “And that’s the biggest thing with as a player as you come in every day and he’s working to get better and you love him as a teammate and so that’s a that’s really it and that’s all you can ask for so if a guy is putting their best foot forward that’s what you always you always wanted as a teammate and respect and admire about him.”

Mayfield’s lower back issue and illness may have kept him from showing off this offseason, but that doesn’t mean the best is yet to come.

“It’s unfair sometimes,” Smith said when he addressed Mayfield’s back injury earlier this month.  “He’s in there and he’s trying to win a job and something is bothering him. We’ll see how it goes. As everybody knows, backs can be tricky.

“He’s a tough kid and he’ll ride it out.”


Mayfield Played Through the Fire Last Season

Mayfield was thrown into the fire in 2021.

He was drafted as offensive line depth but ended up starting in all 16 games his rookie year after the Falcons lost their veteran starter, Josh Andrews, to a broken hand.

Prior to that, the Mayfield had started just 15 games in three years at Michigan.

People need to remember that the college to NFL jump is anything but easy, so it’s no surprise that Mayfield struggles. In his first NFL season, Mayfield led the league in sacks allowed with 11. He also racked up 9 penalties, which tied for 8th-most.

With a full season under his belt and plenty of live action, Mayfield should enter Year 2 with a bit more confidence and knowledge. But we are not going to get the full effect of Mayfield until he’s 100% healthy, which he clearly hasn’t been and while there have been no reports, this could be the same lingering back injury that bothered him at the end of last year.

With all that said, let’s hold the rude comments before we see what Mayfield can really do at this level.

READ NEXT:

 

You May Also Like

Amanda Holden is the epitome of elegance in a purple gown while attending the Royal Ascot 2023

Amanda Holden is the epitome of elegance as she wows in a…

Key Seahawks Starter ‘Could Be Replaced,’ Says Analyst

Getty The Seahawks could look to replace quarterback Geno Smith. The Seattle…

Mike Tindall makes a playful quip about his wife Zara as he reveals he first met the late Queen as a teenager during a visit to his old school

Mike Tindall has revealed he first met the late Queen as a…

Maci Bookout Gives Update on Bentley’s Relationship With Ex Ryan Edwards

YouTube Maci Bookout gives update on Bentley’s relationship with Ryan Edwards on…