A.J. Terrell is currently set to play on his fifth-year option in 2024, but it would not come as a surprise if he had a long-term deal in place before the start of the campaign. The Falcons cornerback recently addressed where things stand on the negotiation front. 
“I’m just focused on being with the team and being involved and let my agent do what he does,” the 25-year said, via The Athletic’s Josh Kendall (subscription required). “It’s easy for me to come to work and not think about it and know that it’s in good hands. I’m just playing football and controlling what I can.”
While nothing appears to be imminent with respect to an extension, those remarks point to Terrell being satisfied with where things currently stand. The Clemson alum has been a full-time starter in each of his four Falcons campaigns, and his 2021 performance (three interceptions, 16 pass deflections) earned him a second-team All-Pro nod. Terrell has not matched that production since, but he remains an integral member of Atlanta’s secondary.
Earlier this month, it was predicted team and player would manage to hammer out an extension relatively smoothly. That has yet to take place, but Terrell’s participation in training camp is a positive sign with respect to a deal being feasible in the near future. Atlanta’s cornerback room beyond Terrell faces questions, and the team’s other starting boundary corner spot is up for grabs this summer.
The Falcons made a big-money investment at the safety spot last offseason by adding safety Jessie Bates on a four-year, $64MM pact. Terrell is set to join him as a highly-compensated member of the team’s secondary. The latter is due $12.34MM on his option, but a long-term pact should bring him closer to the top of the market. It would likely come as a surprise if Terrell joined the trio of corners averaging $20MM or more per season, but he could move up the position’s pecking order on a multi-year accord. With no other major financial priorities facing the team at the moment, the situation between Atlanta and Terrell will remain worth watching closely.