In a shocking development, Zach Klein is reporting the Atlanta Falcons are releasing two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
Klein reported a couple of weeks ago that both Jarrett and the Falcons wanted to work something out to keep him in Atlanta, where his career began in 2015. However, given the Falcons cap situation, there was almost no scenario where Jarrett was going to be able to play at his current number. The hope was that he might be willing to take a pay cut or sign a short extension to give the team some salary relief. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen, as Jarrett will move onto a new team for the first time in his 10-year career.
What Grady Jarrett provided on the field can be replaced. A year removed from a torn ACL, he wasn’t quite as effective this past season, racking up 53 tackles, 12 quarterback hits, and 2.5 sacks. That’s not good enough for a player that was set to cost over $20 million against the cap in 2025.
However, what Jarrett provided as a leader is not something the Falcons will be able to replicate. He was the heart and soul of the Atlanta Falcons, one of just two players still remaining from the team’s Super Bowl run back in 2016. The only other, Jake Matthews, signed a two-year extension to stay in Atlanta last night.
It’s the unfortunate side of the business, but because the Falcons essentially wasted $100 million by signing Kirk Cousins last offseason, these are the kind of gut-wrenching decisions that have to be made. Releasing Grady Jarrett saves Atlanta over $16 million against this year’s cap. However, it also opens up another massive hole across the interior defensive line, one that could get even wider if Atlanta decides to move on from David Onyemata as well.
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Photographer: Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
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