What Will Falcons CB A.J. Terrell's Next Contract Look Like?

A.J. Terrell had his fifth-year option exercised by the Atlanta Falcons for the 2024 season. But he could start negotiating for an extension sooner than that.

Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons are making a lot of changes on defense this offseason, but the unit's best player might have been there all along.

Fourth-year cornerback A.J. Terrell won't be looking for a new contract until after the 2024 season following the Falcons' decision to exercise his fifth-year option. Terrell was one of only 12 first-round picks to have their option exercised, a rather low number for the class. However, Terrell has been one of the better players from the 2020 NFL Draft throughout the first three seasons of his career.

While he didn't record an interception in 2022, Terrell's impact on the Falcons defense was felt. Opposing quarterbacks simply don't want to throw the ball in his direction. Atlanta hopes with the addition of Jessie Bates III, Jeff Okudah, Mike Hughes and fourth-round rookie Clark Phillips III, that Terrell will have the ball thrown in his direction more often.

Terrell's production throughout his career so far leads Bleacher Report to believe that he will receive a four-year, $80.5 million contract extension with $43 million in guarantees the next time he's up for a new deal.

"A.J. Terrell didn't pile up impact plays last year—as a matter of fact, Terrell didn't intercept a pass," Bleacher Report writes. "But the 16th overall pick has become not only arguably the team's best defender but also one of the best cornerbacks in the entire NFL."

Only six cornerbacks in the league are making more than $80 million on their current contract ... Denzel Ward (Cleveland Browns), Marshon Lattimore (New Orleans Saints), Marlon Humphrey (Baltimore Ravens), Xavien Howard (Miami Dolphins), Jaire Alexander (Green Bay Packers) and J.C. Jackson (Los Angeles Chargers). The only player with a higher AAV (average annual value) than Terrell's proposed contract is Alexander, who is making $21 million per year across four seasons.

This contract is what Terrell could make if he were offered the deal now, but if he can drive up his value over the next season or two, he could find himself atop the list of the NFL's highest-paid cornerbacks.

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You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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