Here are five things to know about Grady Jarrett's new four-year, $68 million deal which reached with the Falcons on Monday, just an hour before the NFL's 4 p.m. franchise tag deadline:
1. Signing bonus: Jarrett will receive an $18 million signing bonus.
2. Guaranteed money: In all, $42.5 million of Jarrett's deal is guaranteed.
3. League standing: Jarrett's deal averaged $17 million per year, which ranks third in the league among defensive tackles. The NFL's two highest paid interior defensive linemen, Aaron Donald ($22.5 million per year) and Fletcher Cox ($17.1 million per year).
4. Who's next: The Falcons are working on a extension for wide receiver Julio Jones and middle linebacker Deon Jones.
“One down and two to go,” said CBS Sports analyst Joe Corry.
Jones agent Drew Rosenhaus is reportedly in town and the parties could reach a deal by end of business on Wednesday.
5. Win-win for both sides. Jarrett's deal looks like a win-win for him and the team.
“Right before free agency starts, I do an article with about 10 to 15 guys and what they should be targeting,” said Corry, an Emory graduate. “I had Jarrett at $17 million per year, but $85 million over five. I had $52.5 million in overall guarantees, $37.5 million fully guaranteed at signing with $54 million over the first three years. So, this deal at $17 million per year doesn’t surprise me.”
The deal gives both sides some flexibility moving forward.
“Four (years) as opposed to five actually makes more sense,” Corry said. “If he’s continues to play at a really high level, he may only play three of the new years and they’ll renew again in his contract year.”
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