The 2025 NFL season officially kicks off on Wednesday, and with this all teams need to be salary cap compliant.
When a team is over the salary cap, often times contracts are restructured, other times players will be outright released in order to free up money. This was the case Monday morning as the Atlanta Falcons released 10-year veteran and fan favorite defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
This move saves the Falcons $16 million, not only putting the team under the salary cap, but giving them money to spend elsewhere. It is not likely, with help needed at other positions, that the Falcons go in search of a Grady Jarrett replacement. Instead, they will likely lean on another Clemson alumnus, 2024 second round draft pick Ruke Orhorhoro. These will be big shoes to fill for Orhorhoro, as Jarrett compiled 36.5 sacks in his 10-year career, but was also a team captain, leader in the locker-room, and fan favorite. After failing to reach a contract extension with Jarrett, the Falcons have to release the 10-year veteran, who will no doubt land on another team, but that does not make that bitter pill any easier to swallow, as that is the business side of the NFL. Andy Bunker and Randy McMichael explore the move to release Grady Jarrett further, and why this move was necessary for the Atlanta Falcons.
