The Atlanta Falcons have had one of the most exciting eight-day runs in franchise history. Last Wednesday the Falcons traded for four-time Pro Bowler Matthew Judon. Then they signed four-time All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler Justin Simmons. Thursday the team has reportedly reached an agreement on a four-year, $81-million contract extension with their top cornerback A.J. Terrell, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
According to Schefter the deal includes $65.8 million in effectively full guarantees, which would be the largest guarantee ever given to a cornerback on a four-year agreement. Terrell is now the second-highest-paid cornerback in the NFL by salary at $20.25 million per year, behind only the Green Bay Packers Jaire Alexander at $21 million per year.
The 16th-overall pick by the Falcons in 2020 was a second-team All-Pro in 2021 and has been regarded as an upper-echelon cornerback. He is set to make $12.344 million this season on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal.
With the additions of Simmons and Judon, the Falcons have a lot more talent on defense than they’ve had in a while. That should be good news for Terrell because In 2021 he had three interceptions and 16 passes defended, which was sixth in the NFL. However, he has not had an interception since then but has 36 pass breakups over his four NFL seasons.
With a new contract extension, more talent on the defensive line, and more talent with him in the backfield as well, Terrell’s interception numbers should be way up this season, and hopefully for years to come in a Falcons uniform.