NFL Rumors: AJ Terrell, Falcons agree to $81M contract; richest 4-year CB deal ever | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats & Rumors

Atlanta Falcons cornerback AJ Terrell has reportedly been rewarded with a new contract that will reset the market at his position.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Falcons will sign Terrell to a four-year, $81 million contract extension that includes $65.8 million in guarantees, the most a cornerback has ever received on a four-year contract.

The 16th overall pick in the 2020 draft, Terrell was entering the final year of his rookie contract and was set to make $12.3 million in 2024 on his fifth-year option. Thursday’s deal keeps him in Atlanta through the 2028 season and will have repercussions across the league for other top cornerbacks.

While waiting for his new contract, Terrell has chosen not to hold back from participating in training camp. He told the team’s reporter Amna Subhan Last month, he said he wasn’t going to let his ongoing contract negotiations affect his on-field preparation with the Falcons.

“That’s the beauty of it, right now I’m so focused on being with the team and being involved, and I let my agent make his moves and do his thing,” Terrell said at the time. “It’s easy for me to come to work and not think about it and know that it’s in good hands.”

Terrell started all 17 games last season and totaled 45 tackles, 11 pass breakups and four tackles for loss. He was named a second-team All-Pro in 2021 when he recorded career-highs of 81 total tackles, 16 pass breakups and three interceptions. He has become a reliable cornerback who can keep up with the opposing team’s No. 1 receiver.

The deal for Terrell on Thursday continues a string of big moves for the Falcons on the defensive end in recent days. Last week, Atlanta acquired four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Matthew Judon from the New England Patriots and signed two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons to a one-year deal.