AUGUST 24: Terrell will receive $42.34MM guaranteed in full, per Over the Cap. That figure includes a $25MM signing bonus along with his 2024 ($3.44MM) and 2025 ($14MM) salaries. His cap charge for the coming season dropped to $8.34MM as a result of the extension, but that figure will spike to $19MM next year before eventually growing to $24MM in 2028. No void years are present in the deal.
AUGUST 22: Shortly after adding a pair of veterans to their defense, the Falcons are taking care of another piece of financial business on that side of the ball. Atlanta has worked out a big-ticket extension with cornerback A.J. Terrell, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The team has since confirmed the news.
Terrell will collect $81MM on a four-year extension, per Schefter. The pact includes $65.8MM in effective guarantees, making this the largest commitment in terms of locked in compensation given to a corner on a four-year agreement. The 23-year-old is now under contract through 2028.
In terms of annual average value, Terrell has become the fourth player at his position to average $20MM or more per season. His AAV of $20.25MM ranks second in the league, behind only Jaire Alexander‘s Packers deal ($21MM). This Falcons extension is the largest deal given out to a corner in 2024, eclipsing the trio of Tyson Campbell (Jaguars), L’Jarius Sneed (Titans) and Jaylon Johnson (Bears). Each of those four year pacts range between $76MM and $76.5MM in value.
Earlier this summer, it was clear Terrell was firmly on the Falcons’ extension radar. The Clemson alum was set to play on his fifth-year option in 2024, valued at $12.34MM, but a long-term deal would clearly check in at a much higher figure. His most recent comment on the subject of extension talks painted an encouraging picture with respect to a deal being worked out. Now that it has, Terrell enters the season with increased expectations as the team’s clear-cut No. 1 corner.
After serving as a full-time starter during his rookie season, Terrell had his most productive campaign in 2021. That year saw him collect three interceptions, 16 pass deflections and 81 tackles en route to a second-team All-Pro nod. The past two seasons have not been as impactful on the statsheet, but Terrell has remained consistent in terms of completion percentage allowed. While he has allowed 10 touchdowns as the nearest defender since 2022, the Falcons hope the coming campaign will see a step forward taken at all three levels of their defense.
Atlanta traded for edge rusher Matt Judon last week, adding an established sack artist to the team’s front seven. That move – which will not be accompanied by an extension for the pending free agent – was followed up one day later by the signing of safety Justin Simmons. The latter will create a notable backend tandem with Jessie Bates, who had a successful debut Falcons campaign last year. Judon and Simmons have combined for six Pro Bowls, and Terrell will look to join them in that regard while playing out his second contract.
The Falcons’ restructuring of guard Chris Lindstrom‘s contract freed up 2024 cap space in anticipation of the Simmons acquisition as well as today’s Terrell extension. It will be interesting to see how this move affects the team’s cap outlook over the coming years, but for at least the 2024 campaign a number of major investments will be in place on defense. Questions loom over the status of Atlanta’s second starting cornerback position, but the top of the depth chart is locked in for the foreseeable future.
That is a lot of money for a guy who has had one good season and that one good season was a 2nd team all pro selection.
The other 3 he has given up at least 90+ in passer rating on balls his way and 16 TDs.
Yikes.
The Falcons are still making bad decisions, shocking. That’s why I say ‘parity’ is a myth. Poorly run teams always lose; Atlanta, Jax, Browns, Cards etc.
Bah. Coverage stats are trash. They simply cannot statistically analyze everything that goes on during a play.
For instance, passer rating allowed doesn’t even factor in something as basic as number of seconds before pass is thrown, which is a huge difference maker. Any QB that gets as much time as Atlanta’s pass rush gives him should look like Peyton Manning back there against any CB.
That’s just an easy one to pick on, but team coverage (help over the top, help underneath, help to middle, etc), play flow(how many targets are flooding to the side of the field for said defensive player), down and distance, prevent D, etc, are all stats not taken into effect the last time I looked. That was admittedly years ago, but the stat seemed so ridiculous I haven’t gone back to it.
All that being said, it is definitely an overpay given they might be looking to dig up money for Judon if he proves to be recovered and returns to form. I definitely agree that making him the #2 CB is a bit silly, but you will generally get less for more in free agency most years .. so I can understand why they did it.
FALCONS FLY HIGH BABY MAKING MOVES
Too bad they aren’t all good moves. They overpaid here for a good but not great player.
I disagree
Price of the CB has gone up as WRs are paid more.
Facts