The Falcons have rewarded their homegrown talent under Terry Fontenot, making Chris Lindstrom the highest-paid guard in football at the time of his contract extension a couple of offseason ago. More recently, it was A.J. Terrell who inked a new deal.
The 2020 first-round pick signed a four-year, $81 million contract extension, with $65.8 million “effectively” guaranteed, making him the second-highest-paid corner in the NFL at the time of the signing.
It was a bit rich for my blood, and since signing that deal, Terrell hasn’t played anywhere near his best ball. In the season opener, George Pickens got the best of Terrell, and it happened again on Sunday.
Diontae Johnson logged 78 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions, much of which came in the first half on Terrell, including the score. It sparked many Falcons fans to question the massive contract handed to him. Then, in the fourth quarter, with the Panthers’ offense driving toward the red zone in a one-score game, A.J. Terrell came up with his first interception since 2019.
.@ajterrell_8 will take that, thank you
FOX | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/1mpYbqZcLo
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) October 13, 2024
Terrell’s interception was the pivotal play that changed the momentum of the game. The Falcons would go onto drive 84 yards on nine plays, capped off by a Tyler Allgeier touchdown to extend Atlanta’s lead to two possessions.
It was the ending of a 37-game interception drought for Terrell, but the interception doesn’t change the rough stretch of play he’s had this season, allowing 20 receptions for 203 yards and one touchdown on 24 targets, according to Pro Football Reference.
That’s simply not good enough for a star cornerback, regardless of the contract. The proverbial “seeing one go through the hoop” might be exactly what the doctor ordered, but the Falcons need him to be better, or the defense is going to hold this team back against the league’s top teams.
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Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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