Grady Jarrett got his payday on deadline day.
The Atlanta Falcons and the defensive tackle agreed to a four-year, $68 million contract on Monday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per sources informed of the deal. Rapoport adds the deal comes with $42.5 million in guarantees.
As usual in the NFL, deadlines spur action, and the Falcons and Jarrett got a deal done with a little more than an hour to spare ahead of the 4 p.m. ET deadline Monday for franchise-tagged players to ink multiyear deals.
The Falcons later confirmed the deal.
"As we have said since the end of the season, getting a deal done with Grady has been a priority and we are pleased to have accomplished that today," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said in a release. "Grady is an integral part of our organization and we look forward to moving together for many years to come."
Jarrett signed his $15.209 million franchise tag back in April and the sides had worked toward a long-term resolution since then, ultimately sliding the deal in before the horn.
The $17 million-per-year average on the four-year pact places Jarrett behind only Aaron Donald ($22.5M) and Fletcher Cox ($17.1M) among interior defensive lineman. It's a solid place for Jarrett to land, as he's been one of the more potent interior defenders in the NFL the last few seasons, with the ability to stuff the run and penetrate to disrupt the QB.
Since becoming a starter in 2016, Jarrett has been a staple in the middle of Dan Quinn's defense, compiling 13 sacks and 179 tackles, and generated 143 total pressures in the last three seasons, per Pro Football Focus. His sack totals might not jump off the screen, but Jarrett has proven he can push the pocket consistently and live in the backfield.
Earlier this offseason, Falcons owner Arthur Blank said he believed Jarrett would be a Falcon "for life." At just 26 years old, it's likely that if he keeps improving, the defensive tackle would be in for another payday after this deal expires in four seasons. At that time, Blank would have to double-down on that "for life" prediction.
With Jarrett's deal done before training camp, the Falcons will now turn their attention toward acquiescing Julio Jones' contract desires. Rapoport noted the Jones deal might "take a while" to hammer out with two years left on the receiver's contract.
