HEADLINE

Falcons DT Jarrett signs franchise tender

Field Level Media

April 23, 2019 at 12:33 am.

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett signed his franchise tender on Monday, locking in a one-year, $15,209,000 salary for 2019.

The team has been vocal about its intentions to sign Jarrett to a long-term deal, which the sides have until July 15 to negotiate. If no extension is agreed upon, he will play out 2019 on the tag.

“Jarrett is obviously our priority,” general manager Thomas Dimitroff told the reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine last month. “Hopefully that is done sooner rather than later.”

Jarrett, a fifth-round pick in 2015 who turns 26 next week, was ranked the No. 5 defensive tackle by Pro Football Focus in its 2018 postseason grades. He completed his budget-friendly, four-year rookie deal valued at $2,527,853.

He had 52 tackles and six sacks last season.

The Falcons also announced the signing of free agent safety J.J. Wilcox, who spent 2018 with the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts.

Wilcox, 28, played in seven games between the two teams last season, logging a total of 63 defensive snaps and making seven tackles.

The six-year veteran has 233 tackles, 16 pass break-ups and six interceptions in 77 games (39 starts).