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The Atlanta Falcons have extended their star cornerback, A.J. Terrell, for another four years. This means he will be with the team until 2028. The Falcons are really trying to win now and keeping Terrell is a big deal.
Ian Rapoport from The NFL Network shared the news on Thursday morning.
Terrell’s new contract is worth $81 million, with $65.8 million guaranteed. This makes him the second highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. That’s a huge win for Terrell and his agents at Athletes First.
Having Terrell on board makes Atlanta an attractive spot for other players too. Kyle Pitts, another top player and Athletes First client, was also drafted by the Falcons. Together, they make a strong team.
Arthur Blank, the Falcons’ owner, paid a lot for Terrell, but it’s worth it. Keeping local talent like Terrell is important for the team’s future success.
Sources: The #Falcons and CB AJ Terrell agreed on a 4-year extension worth $81M with $65.8M effectively fully guaranteed — 2nd highest paid CB ever.
The deal negotiated by @DavidMulugheta and Trevon Smith of @AthletesFirst has the largest guarantee ever for a CB on a 4-yr deal. pic.twitter.com/vWzr3N2Ss7
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 22, 2024
Keeping Terrell in Atlanta is about more than just football; it’s about community pride too. He grew up here and played at Westlake High School.
A.J. Terrell’s extension signals that the Falcons are serious about winning this season.
Though quiet off the field, Terrell leads by example on defense alongside Grady Jarrett. They’ve added key players like Jessie Bates III and Matthew Judon to bolster their lineup.
Even though I had doubts about Raheem Morris bringing Jimmy Lake over as defensive coordinator, it’s clear this defense is solid now with five key players opponents must watch out for every play.
To me, this extension shows that under new leadership, the Falcons are aiming high.
Entering the 2024 NFL season, Atlanta remains one of just twelve teams yet to win a Super Bowl. They’re determined to change that soon.
It may not happen this year or next, but Atlanta is positioning itself as a strong NFC contender.
