Atlanta Falcons

Falcons sign former No. 1 overall pick Jake Long

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 2:20 a.m. ET

Alex Marvez

ATLANTA -- Jake Long hasn't played right tackle since a decade ago at the University of Michigan.

That is about to change.

FOX Sports has learned that the Atlanta Falcons plan to have Long work at both left and right tackle after signing him Tuesday to a free-agent contract.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft, Long has played his entire career at left tackle. The Falcons, though, have no intention of moving starting left tackle Jake Matthews back to right tackle, which is where his NFL career began last season.

The Falcons will have Long learn left tackle as a safeguard. That also would give Long the versatility to potentially serve as a backup swing tackle on game days.

Long also could ultimately push right tackle Ryan Schraeder for a starting spot as the Falcons continue evaluating their offensive line talent. Atlanta's 2015 overhaul continued with three significant roster moves within the past weeks. Left guard Andy Levitre was acquired in a trade with Tennessee and former starting center Joe Hawley was released after the Falcons claimed center Gino Gradkowski off waivers from Denver.

Atlanta's starting offensive line of Matthews, Levitre, center Mike Person, right guard Chris Chester and Schraeder did a sound job in Monday night's 26-24 home win over Philadelphia in the regular-season opener. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan wasn't sacked and rookie running back Tevin Coleman gained 80 yards on 20 carries.

Long, 30, reached the Pro Bowl in his first four NFL seasons but has spent the past several years battling a variety of injuries. Long suffered a torn anterior cruciate midway through last season while playing for St. Louis and was released in the offseason.

Financial details on Long's contract weren't immediately available.