Falcons offseason contract extension candidates

The Falcons have a busy offseason ahead of them.

The next few months will be focused on what Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot do to attack the quarterback position, but there are plenty of other roster needs that must be addressed.

Atlanta needs another wideout or two, a cornerback, an edge rusher, and as always, the offensive and interior defensive lines could be bolstered. There are other to-do’s this offseason, though.

Kyle Pitts‘ fifth-year option needs to be exercised, which I expect to happen. They also need to think about extending a couple of impending free agents in 2025. Here are three extension candidates:

Avery Williams

The Falcons special teams unit took a step back in 2023, and the absence of Avery Williams isn’t a coincidence. Despite suffering a serious injury, the expectation is for Williams to return to the Falcons in 2024 and be the same player he was in 2022. It may be a bit premature to extend Williams because of the injury, though.

Drew Dalman

Dalman is a sneaky contract extension candidate. He could test free agency next offseason, but the Falcons would be wise to keep the interior unit of Chris Lindstrom, Matthew Bergeron, and Dalman. The former fourth-round pick has really come along since taking over for Matt Hennessy. Though he leaves some to be desired in his pass protection, he’s one of the few elite centers when run blocking.

A.J. Terrell

The one that comes to many Falcons fans’ minds is the former first-round pick turned All-Pro in A.J. Terell, who will play on his fifth-year option and final year of his rookie contract in 2024.

The price of starting-caliber cornerbacks will only go up, but right now, all of the league’s top cornerbacks, like Jaire Alexander, Denzel Ward, etc. all make around $20 million annually. That will probably be the area for Terrell, who has become one of the better players at his position.

I doubt we see him reset the market like Chris Lindstrom did for guards last offseason, but Falcons fans can expect a significant contract extension and raise for A.J. Terrell.

—

Photographer: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire