Atlanta Falcons quiet off season comes to an end
The Atlanta Falcons will report to training camp this coming Thursday, a lot can happen between now and then.
The Atlanta Falcons were hopeful that they could lock up Grady Jarrett before Monday’s 4pm deadline. While a long-term deal is not likely, do not be surprised to have an 11th hour deal announced tomorrow.
What happens if no deal is reached?
Nothing really. Grady would simply play 2019 under his current franchise tag that he already signed. They downside is the two sides would not be able to come to a long-term agreement until 2020. With the NFL/NFLPA CBA set to expire after the 2020 season, teams and agents are playing chicken at this point to see if the other will cave.
Because of the pending CBA expiration, I do not believe that you will see Grady jump at just any long-term deal. Grady has bet on himself a lot in life and it has paid off. Grady will bet that he takes another giant leap forward both in 2019 & 2020 and that will set himself up for a huge contract post new NFL CBA.
Yes, there is a lot of certainty in that, but keep in mind that the Falcons would more than likely franchise tag him again next season which would guarantee Grady nearly 20 million for the 2020 season.
The other story line to watch over the next few days is that of Julio Jones. Julio has already said he will not hold out if he does not have a new deal in place by the start of camp. Jimmy Sexton is more than likely waiting to see what the Saints and Michael Thomas agree too, but this is coming down to the wire.
The Falcons wanted to get this deal done before camp so that everyone could focus on the season at hand. Undoubtedly, media will be ridiculously incessant and ask post practice every day why a deal is not done yet and neither players nor the front office want to deal with that distraction.
Next. Julio Jones is the best WR to ever step on an NFL field. dark
Nothing else of note will take place prior to Thursday’s start to training camp. This has very much been the type of off season the Falcons needed – no drama, no news and players have been able to focus on getting healthy and ready for a Super Bowl run to Miami.