The Atlanta Falcons will retain one of their cornerstones on defense for the foreseeable future.
The club on Tuesday agreed to a three-year extension with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett worth up to $17 million a year in new money and a total of $51 million for the extension if he meets certain incentives, confirmed a source told ESPN. The extension includes a guaranteed $34.5 million.
Jarrett is now committed for the 2025 season for a total of $67 million, including money he was expected to make in 2022.
The news was first reported by WSB-TV in Atlanta.
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Jarrett – who celebrated his 29th birthday on Thursday, the first day of the NFL draft – was picked in the 2015 fifth-round pick by the Falcons from Clemson. The Conyers, Georgia player became a starter for Atlanta in his sophomore season in 2016. He made back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2019 and 2020 and has started every game he played for Atlanta since the start of this 2016 season. Overall, he has played in 110 games – starting from 95 of them – with 359 tackles, 26.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries.
Jarrett, the son of former Falcons linebacker Jessie Tuggle, switched a little from defensive tackle to defensive end last season in defensive coordinator Dean Pees’ 3-4 scheme to create even better matchups.
Jarrett (6ft, 305lbs) became the focus of opposing offensive lines, sometimes hitting triple teams when trying to work off blocks.
“Based on the way Grady plays and his reputation, I think people will protect him,” said Falcons coach Arthur Smith. “We’re moving him around a bit too, but yeah, I mean if you’re playing us you’re certainly going to factor him into your protective systems.”
With Jarrett staying, he becomes one of the Falcons’ key leaders as they transition most of their roster. He is the second Falcons player to receive a long-term extension this offseason, joining left tackle Jake Matthews. The team also traded quarterback Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts and, in the last 12 months, wide receiver Julio Jones to the Tennessee Titans and suspended receiver Calvin Ridley for at least a year for gambling.
Atlanta is also in the midst of restructuring its front seven, with Jarrett at the heart. Linebacker Foye Oluokun signed in free agency with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Falcons signed Rashaan Evans to potentially replace him.
The team brought in three new edge rushers — the signing of Lorenzo Carter and the drafts of Arnold Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone — to try to mitigate some of the attention opposing teams throw at Jarrett with every down. Atlanta also signed Vincent Taylor on defensive tackle in a bid to potentially offer Jarrett more inside help.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler contributed to this report.