The Falcons are close to finalizing a lucrative contract extension for Pro Bowl cornerback Desmond Trufant.
Negotiations between the Falcons and Trufant’s representatives picked up at the combine and will likely be finalized within the next 24 hours. Trufant’s deal is expected to land in the $12 million to $14 million per year range, just south of the five-year $75 million deal that Redskins signed Josh Norman to last season.
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Trufant was the team’s No. 1 offseason priority a month ago and has continue to repeat that point. He said the team with deal with running back Devonta Freeman’s request for a new contract at the “appropriate time.”
The Falcons are also planning to move to their next tier of players for extenstions and have agreed to a two-year, $9 million deal with backup quarterback Matt Schaub, according to ESPN. Fullback Patrick DiMarco has agreed to a four-year, $8.5 million deal with Buffalo, according to NFL Media.
Trufant, 26, was selected in the first-round (22nd overall) of the 2013 draft. He started immediately as a rookie and was named to the Pro Bowl in his third season.
Last season, Trufant was having a fine campaign and was matching up with the opponent’s No. 1 receiver before suffering a season-ending torn pectoral injury after nine games.
Last April, Washington signed Josh Norman to a five-year, $75 million deal with $36.5 million guaranteed, which is the highest-valued contract at the position.
Janoris Jenkins signed a five-year, $62.5 million deal with $28.8 guaranteed with the Giants in free agency last March.
Detroit signed cornerback Darius Slay to a five year, $51.33 million with a $14.5 million signing bonus in July.
The Falcons are also trying to resign safety Kemal Ishmael and tight end Levine Toilolo.
The Falcons re-signed cornerback Robert Alford (four-year, $38 million) and right tackle Ryan Schraeder (five-year, $32million) to contract extensions during the season.
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