Khalid Kareem

Career StatsC-

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		34	41	1.0	—
2025		4	7	0.0	0
2024		2	4	0.0	0
2023		1	1

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Khalid Kareem's one-year, $1.2M deal with the Atlanta Falcons earns a solid B CVI, representing a shrewd value play for depth linebacker production. At just over the veteran minimum, this contract perfectly aligns with Kareem's profile as a rotational player who can contribute on defense and special teams without breaking the bank. The 26-year-old pass rusher brings legitimate NFL experience from his time in Cincinnati, where he flashed enough ability to warrant this low-risk investment from Atlanta's front office. The single-year structure gives both sides flexibility — Kareem can prove he deserves a larger role while the Falcons avoid any long-term commitment to a player still establishing his ceiling. This is exactly the type of smart, cost-controlled signing that builds roster depth without sacrificing salary cap flexibility, making it a win-win for a Falcons defense looking to add competition at the linebacker position.

Performance Analysis

Khalid Kareem grades as a serviceable starter among NFL linebackers — a middle-of-the-pack player at the position. His strongest area is passes defended at 0.25 (near the NFL average of 0.20), ranking as near league average for the position. Tackling, at 1.75 compared to an NFL average of 3.80, is where he falls short relative to the position.

Fan Sentiment

A low-risk, depth-level signing of a rotational edge rusher with limited upside. Headlines show a revolving door situation, with Kareem being cut and re-elevated multiple times. The strongest signal is his practice-squad elevation pattern, suggesting the Falcons see him as emergency depth only. Fans are largely indifferent, viewing this as a roster-filling move rather than a meaningful upgrade. Kareem will likely bounce between the active roster and practice squad throughout the season.