Atlanta Falcons Extend Cornerback A.J. Terrell

The Atlanta Falcons are betting big on their current roster. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Falcons have reached an agreement with cornerback A.J. Terrell on a four-year, $81 million extension.

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

The deal includes $65.8 million "effectively fully guaranteed," the largest ever on a four-year deal for a cornerback. The $20.25 million per year average makes Terrell the second-highest-paid cornerback in the league behind only Green Bay Packers two-time Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander.

Terrell was the Falcons' 16th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft and was set out to play out the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Through 61 appearances, he has nabbed four interceptions and broken up 43 total passes. He peaked in 2021, setting career bests in interceptions (3), passes defended (16), and passer rating allowed (61.0).

Terrell has been a steady, effective corner, but he hasn't lived up to that breakout sophomore season. He has yet to earn a Pro Bowl, and he's allowed passer ratings on throws in his direction in excess of 90.0 in consecutive seasons. Still, the Falcons know better than anyone what they have in Terrell, and they're clearly content with what he provides.

Extending Terrell is yet another big move in what has been a splashy offseason for the Falcons. It all began with signing longtime Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency. That franchise-altering transaction was quickly complicated by the Falcons drafting Washington quarterback Michael Penix eighth overall. Recent acquisitions of Pro Bowlers Matthew Judon and Justin Simmons spiced things up all the more. The Falcons will undoubtedly be one of the most intriguing teams of the 2024 regular season.