FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga – KhaDarel Hodge, a key wide receiver and special teams standout for the Atlanta Falcons, is determined to build on his impressive 2024 campaign. Speaking with Dukes & Bell on Sports Radio 92.9 The Game, Hodge revealed his ambition to surpass last year’s success by setting more demanding personal goals for the upcoming season.
“I just go out and do my job,”
Hodge stated.
“I got bigger goals this year – first team All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowl. I don’t want to be a one-hit wonder.”
Seven-Year Journey Culminates in Breakthrough Performance
Having earned his first Pro Bowl selection last season, Hodge is best known for his exceptional contributions on special teams. His highlight moments included scoring a touchdown on a muffed punt versus the New Orleans Saints in Week 4 and winning the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/nfc/”>NFC Special Teams Player of the Week award in Week 15 after blocking a punt and deflecting another. These plays underscore his value to the Falcons beyond the offensive lineup.
Reflecting on his path to this point, Hodge credited the challenges he overcame for shaping his commitment to football.
“The journey is what I really appreciate about the game,”
he explained.
“I think the work is what really makes you appreciate it, and remembering where you’ve come from. I appreciate that because I went through that for a reason. I appreciate my journey. Everybody has a story, especially in this league. It’s why you see a lot of guys come out here and work as hard as they do, and celebrate as hard as they do when they make a play that could look small to you, but to them, from what they’ve come from, that play could be life-changing to them and it shows the work they put in.”
Crucial Contributor in Special Teams and Offensive Plays
At 30 years old, Hodge wrapped up the 2024 season with six tackles, ranking tied for second highest on the Falcons special teams unit. Despite limited offensive targets, his presence remains vital for the team‘s overall performance. He played in all 17 games, starting the final two regular-season contests, while recording seven receptions for 131 yards and one touchdown.
One of his most memorable offensive moments came in Week 5 with a dramatic, game-winning 45-yard touchdown reception against Tampa Bay. Describing the play, Hodge said,
“That whole situation [against Tampa] was like a movie. It was one of those crazy endings in a crazy movie. It was slow-mo, and then it kind of sped up after I caught it and slipped out of the tackle. When I saw green [grass], it was over with.”
On celebrating that touchdown, he added,
“I usually had a celebration ready to go in case I scored a touchdown, but I blacked out after crossing the goal line.”
Committed to Falcons Through 2026 and Beyond
Since joining the Falcons in 2022, Hodge has showcased remarkable durability, not missing a single game. After re-signing with the team this offseason, he is under contract through the 2026 season, underscoring the franchise’s faith in his abilities both on special teams and offense.
His immediate focus is helping Atlanta reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016, something the team has not achieved in seven years. Speaking about the squad’s outlook, Hodge conveyed cautious optimism:
“We’re just getting better, day by day. We’re never getting comfortable, and we gotta stay hungry [because] it’s a long season. 17 games, we gotta be hungry the whole season and can’t get comfortable with records.”
Looking Ahead: Building on Success to Reach New Heights
For Hodge, last season’s Pro Bowl nod is not the peak but rather a starting point for greater achievements. His journey has taught him that some of the most significant moments occur when least expected, fueling his determination to seize every opportunity ahead.