The Atlanta Falcons have confirmed Thursday’s reports that cornerback A.J. Terrell has received a four-year, $81 million contract extension that keeps him with the team through the 2028 NFL season.
Terrell, 25, has been one of Atlanta’s most consistent players since being selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft. The former Clemson standout has started 61 career games for the Falcons, racking up 183 solo tackles, 43 passes defended, four interceptions and four forced fumbles. Terrell was named All-Pro Second Team in 2021.
Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot commented on Terrell’s extension to the team’s official website on Thursday:
Terrell’s extension pays him the most guaranteed money ($65.8 million) ever given to a cornerback over a four-year span. After adding safeties Jessie Bates III and Justin Simmons, Atlanta now has three top-level players in the secondary.
However, there are still a few question marks at the No. 2 cornerback spot. Mike Hughes is listed as the starter but Kevin King and Clark Phillips III are still in the mix.
The Falcons play their third and final preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET. After that, the team must cut its roster down to 53 players by August 27.
