The Atlanta Falcons announced that they have agreed to terms with fifth-year cornerback A.J. Terrell on a contract extension keeping him in the organization for the next four years.
Terrell’s contract extension is worth $81 million over four years, making him the second-highest paid cornerback in the league behind Green Bay Packers corner, Jaire Alexander. The deal includes $65.8 million guaranteed, and bumps Terrell’s yearly salary to $20.25 million a year.
Last year in his fourth season in the league, Terrell started in all 17 games for the Falcons for the first time in his young career. Terrell accumulated 11 pass deflections, 45 tackles and four tackles for loss last season. In his four playing seasons thus far (All with the Falcons), Terrell has started in all 61 games and has registered 43 pass deflections, four interceptions, four forced fumbles, and 247 tackles.
Terrell was named a Second-Team All-Pro after his terrific 2021 season, the best statistical season of his young NFL career, where he finished third in the NFL in lowest completion percentage allowed at 38.3%.
“For him to resign with his hometown team speaks to his loyalty for the organization, and the falcons commitment to finance their expectations,” said former Westlake head coach Bryan Love. “Getting an opportunity to see him play a few times during the football season is an awesome opportunity,” he added.
The corner gets his second contract with the hometown Falcons after the team selected him with the 16th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Atlanta-native attended Westlake High School where he played his high school football.
Terrell was rated as a 4-star on 247Sports.com and was rated in the recruiting sites top-60 players in the country in the Class of 2017.
Falcons, CB AJ Terrell agree on 4-year extension worth $81M including $65.8M guaranteed. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/QirmiHFb1f
— NFL (@NFL) August 22, 2024
“He was perfect, he was great,” said former Westlake head coach Kareem Reid. “He has great work ethic, his approach and his demeanor to the game was what you want as a coach from a player.” “He has a great family, I knew he was going to have success down the line in his future,” Reid added.
Reid was the head coach of Westlake during Terrell’s senior season where 8-3 on their season, going 5-0 in Class 7A- Region 2, becoming region champs.
At Westlake, Terrell played a versatile role and was all over the field. He played at his usual spot in the secondary and also got reps on offense as a wide receiver.
His accolades during his high school career speak for themselves as he was named Georgia 7A Player of the Year by the Coaches Association and was a First Team All-State Selection by the Atlanta Journal Constitution during his senior season in 2016.
Terrell ultimately chose to sign with Clemson University where he played in 44 games (starting in 30), tallying over 107 tackles, six interceptions, two forced fumbles and 3.5 tackles for loss. He was named Third-Team All-ACC as a sophomore and made First-Team All-ACC in his junior season with the Tigers.
Coming off of Clemson’s 2019 national championship victory, Terrell was selected by the Falcons in the following spring and has excelled for the Dirty Birds since his arrival. He immediately made an impact for Atlanta, lining up against opposing offenses’ top receiving target on a weekly basis.
Leading up to the 2024 season, the Falcons have made some major moves on their defense to give Terrell some reliable and experienced help on that side of the ball. This month, the team has signed and traded for two former All-Pros, safety Justin Simmons and outside linebacker, Matthew Judon. Simmons was signed on a one-year, $8 million deal last week and the Falcons traded a 2025 third-round pick to the New England Patriots for Judon, giving the team much-needed experience at important defensive positions.
Terrell and the Atlanta Falcons will start their season at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, September 8 at 1:00 p.m. to kick off the 2024 season.
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