There wasn’t a lot of hope on the NFL rumor mill that defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and the Atlanta Falcons could get their figures to match on a new contract. Right at the franchise tag deadline, literally minutes before 4 p.m., the team announced Jarrett had agreed to a four-year, $68 million contract with $42.5 million in guaranteed money.
“As we have said since the end of the season, getting a deal done with Grady has been a priority and we are pleased to have accomplished that today,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said in a release. “Grady is an integral part of our organization and we look forward to moving together for many years to come.”
Another deadline deal: Falcons and DT Grady Jarrett reached agreement on a four-year, $68 million deal, sources tell ESPN. Falcons beat deadline and lock up their DT.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 15, 2019
Averaging $17 million a season, Jarrett is only behind Aaron Donald and Fletcher Cox on the defensive tackle pay scale. The former fifth round pick out of Clemson had outstanding back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018, which led to the big payday Monday. In 2017, Jarrett recorded 55 tackles, 15 for a loss, and four sacks. Last season, he had 52 tackles, eight for a loss, three forced fumbles and six sacks.
The news wasn’t as good for Houston Texans pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, even though you can’t feel too bad for a guy about to pocket $15.967 million in 2019. There was no long-term deal made for the former first rounder out of South Carolina and no real effort to get one done from the Texans. Clowney hasn’t signed his franchise tag so he’s currently not on any team, though Houston holds his rights.
Texans and franchised DE/LB Jadeveon Clowney officially did not reach a long-term deal before today's 4 pm ET deadline. He now is expected to miss a good portion of training camp. Next time Texans see Clowney could be late August or early September.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 15, 2019
The thought is that Clowney will skip most of training camp, then sign the tag and play a full season with the Texans as he auditions for other NFL teams. Clowney made the Pro Bowl in each of his last three seasons. Last year he racked up 47 tackles, 16 for a loss, one pass defense, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and nine sacks.
