Falcons GM Terry Fontenot could be teasing a trade that would send Grady Jarrett to any team of his choosing this offseason. According to reports, the Atlanta Falcons could be moving on from Jarrett after touching base in a press conference ahead of the NFL Combine that he wouldn’t call him “untouchable.” Many could speculate about his comments but this could signify the Falcons may be open to moving on from the veteran. Originally selected in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the former Clemson product spent the entirety with the Falcons becoming one of the best disruptors in the middle for the team’s defense.
Jarrett is entering the final year of his contract and the Falcons can save a great amount in releasing him. If they do move on, the Falcons would save more than $16 million but if he stays, the veteran would be owed $20 million next season. The release would give the team more wiggle room to make some offseason moves for younger talent in free agency next month. Since Jarrett is aging, it might make sense for the Falcons to put him on the trade block, and if they can’t find a partner then the best solution would be to release him.
The Falcons won’t receive a huge return in draft capital since it wasn’t too long since he was removed from the lineup in 2023. However, he still finished that campaign with 23 tackles, 1.5 sacks and eight quarterback hits. Jarrett could be a useful locker-room veteran presence for these five teams.
Falcons GM Terry Fontenot Could Be Teasing a Surprising Grady Jarrett Trade
Next Possible Teams
Los Angeles Chargers
As of this posting, the Los Angeles Chargers will look different this 2025 season if several free agents don’t return. The main pieces of the defensive front consist of Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa and Poona Ford. The team will probably cut Bosa while extending Ford at a lucrative and Mack at one more sweet veteran extension if he truly has a “robust” market. As the Chargers are holding their breath, the team should trade for Jarrett to send some cheap draft capital since they have a old-school philosopher like Jim Harbaugh who could use him at the right extent in the trenches.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints probably won’t trade for Grady Jarrett in his current deal but they could sign him to a one-year deal if he becomes available. They don’t have the cap space to facilitate a trade this offseason so it’s best to wait until Jarrett is on the market. The team will look dramatically as far as for the Saints’ defense.
Free Agent Chase Young will be in a new uniform and Cameron Jordan is likely on the chopping block. Jarrett is no superstar in his aging situation, but he’s still a capable run-stopper to disrupt certain situations.
Dallas Cowboys
After stating the 2025 offseason will look like how it was last year, the “selectively aggressive” Dallas Cowboys could trade for at least one veteran this free agency. At Jarrett’s current price, it won’t allow the Cowboys to do that while they have to worry about extending Micah Parsons and Osa Odighizuwa. If both return, the team should find a way to plug in Jarrett as a dependable veteran presence for this defense at a bargain.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders have done well for themselves on offense but they work to get done with their defense. After signing Dante Fowler Jr. and Dorance Armstrong, the team could be looking for an upgrade. While Jarrett isn’t the ideal replacement, he would still be a dependable player to possibly perform at a better rate than Jonathan Allen who is on the trade block.
Baltimore Ravens
Nnamdi Madubuike is still one of the best in this league’s game today. However, the surrounding pieces like Travis Jones and Broderick Washington remain a concern. The team lost several key free agents like Jadeveon Clowney and Geno Stone while never making up for it. They could use someone like Jarrett to swift the stress off of Madubuike on the defensive front.
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