Grady Jarrett, Falcons Reportedly Agree to New 3-Year Contract Worth Up to $51M

The Atlanta Falcons have locked in their best defensive player, defensive tackle Jarrett Grady, for the foreseeable future.

The Falcons agreed to a three-year contract extension worth up to $51 million, according to Ian Rapoport. Rapoport said that the deal will lower the salary cap number for Jarrett in the future.

Jarrett was set to become a free agent next year, but he is now under contract with the Falcons.

Since being selected by Atlanta in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft, Jarrett has exceeded expectations.

In seven NFL seasons, Jarrett has registered 358 tackles, 54 tackles for loss and 26.5 sacks.

Despite starting all 17 games, Jarrett's numbers were down last season, even though he had a career-high 69 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 2019.

While his 59 tackles were the second-most of his career, Jarrett set career lows with three tackles for loss and just one sack.

He is a 29-year-old veteran on a rebuilding team and there was speculation of a potential trade leading up to and during the draft.

The Falcons re-signed Jarrett in hopes of him being a leader for the young, developing players on defense.

In the second and third rounds, Atlanta selected pass-rushers Arnold Ebiketie and Troy Andersen, as well as pass-rusher DeAngelo Malone.

The Falcons are not going to make the playoffs. With plenty of promising, young talent on the roster, it may not be a stretch to think they could be a playoff team again two or three years down the road, and Jarrett should be a significant part of that process.