Clemson football: Jarrett signs extension with ATL in win-win deal

Former Clemson football defensive lineman Grady Jarrett was the latest former Tiger to get paid this offseason, coming to an agreement with the Atlanta Falcons that was announced Tuesday.

The agreement benefits both sides in that Jarrett is guaranteed $34.5 million, while the Falcons receive cap space in 2022.

The deal is worth up to $17 million per year in new money and $51 million overall for the extension if Jarrett reaches incentives and will make Jarrett the mainstay of the Falcons defense.

Falcons coach Arthur Smith had this to say about Jarrett:

"“Based on the way Grady plays and his reputation, I think people will account for him in protection,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said. “We also move him around a little bit too, but yeah, I mean, if you’re playing us, you’re certainly going to account for him in your protection schemes.”"

Jarrett was a fifth-round pick by the Falcons in 2015. and made back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2019 and 2020.

Jarrett has played in 110 NFL games, starting 95, and has accumulated 359 tackles, 26.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries.

I’m old enough to remember when Jarrett was thought to be not big enough to play in the middle at Clemson, much less for seven seasons in the NFL, in a position that takes a physical pounding week in and week out.

Week after week he gradually grew on the fans as they began to realize that his motor never stopped and you always got 100% out of an uber-prepared Jarrett every week.

By the time he left Clemson Jarrett was a beloved player and became known as an outstanding person and a thoughtful and generous member of society.

Jarrett played at Clemson from 2011-2014, totalling 144 total tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries and 2 forced fumbles.

It’s been a big offseason for many former Tigers as Deshaun Watson was traded to Cleveland and signed a huge new deal, Mike Williams got paid, as did Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence.