Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) intercepts a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at the Georgia Dome. Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
The deal is worth a reported $69 million with approximately $42 million guaranteed, putting Trufant in elite company among cornerbacks. Last offseason, the Washington Redskins signed Josh Norman to a five-year, $75 million deal with $50 million in guarantees.
The 26-year-old Trufant, the 22nd overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft out of Washington, was heading into the final year of his rookie contract. He was due to make $8.026 million in 2017 after the Falcons exercised the fifth-year option.
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn repeatedly said re-signing Trufant would be Atlanta’s top offseason priority.
“We are really happy to be able to get this extension done,” Dimitroff said in a statement. “Trufant has proven to be a valuable leader to our team, and embodies every trait that Coach Quinn and I are looking for from players that are a part of our brotherhood.
“Trufant has improved each year and we believe his best ball is still in front of him. We knew this extension was going to be a component to our offseason plan and I am excited with the way we have been able to execute our entire plan as we have built our roster.”
In four seasons with the Falcons, Trufant started 57 games, posting 213 tackles, seven interceptions, four fumble recoveries, 53 passes defensed and three sacks, earning his first Pro Bowl nod in 2015.
Last season, Trufant played in nine games before suffering a season-ending torn pectoral injury.
