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Aug. 22 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Falcons and cornerback A.J. Terrell agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $81 million, his agency, Athletes First, announced Thursday. The pact includes $65.8 million guaranteed, the most given to a defensive back on a four-year deal in NFL history.
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Terrell, 25, joined the Falcons as the No. 16 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He totaled 45 combined tackles, 11 passes defensed and four tackles for a loss over 17 starts last season.
Terrell logged 247 combined tackles, 43 passes defensed, 11 tackles for a loss, four interceptions, four forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a sack through his first 61 appearances for the Falcons.
He received the 24th-best defensive rating last season among cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. He was 65th in 2022, but third -- with the second-best coverage grade -- in 2021. He was 68th as a rookie.
The Falcons exercised the fifth-year rookie option, worth $12.3 million this season, on Terrell's rookie contract in April 2023. He is now under contract through 2028.
The Falcons will host the Jacksonville Jaguars in their final preseason game at 7 p.m. EDT Friday in Atlanta. They will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in their regular-season opener on Sept. 8 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
