Falcons release defensive veteran Grady Jarrett

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Falcons have released star defensive lineman Grady Jarrett.

The team confirmed their decision with a public statement Monday afternoon.

What they're saying:

Arthur M. Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons, released the following statement:

"Over the past decade, Grady has exemplified true professionalism, leadership and humility while representing both the Falcons and the city of Atlanta. It has been an honor to witness Grady’s growth—not only as a team captain and Pro Bowl player on the field but also as a remarkable individual and family man off the field. Beyond his exceptional skills as a football player, Grady stands as a role model, consistently showing resilience in the face of adversity. His impact reaches far beyond the game - his tenacity and love for the those around him have inspired not only me, but teammates, staff and generations of Falcons fans alike.

"Grady’s unwavering commitment to Atlanta is reflected in his decade-long dedication to giving back to the community, deservingly earning the Falcons' nomination for the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award twice. In this business, we are often faced with difficult decisions, and this one is no exception. On behalf of myself, the entire Falcons organization and the city of Atlanta, we honor and thank Grady for his incredible contributions both on and off the field. Grady will forever be part of our Falcons’ family, and we will always be here supporting him and wishing him the very best."

The backstory:

The son of Falcons Ring of Honor awardee Jessie Tuggle, Jarrett attended Rockdale County High School, where he was a two-time All-State selection. A

From 2011 to 2014, Jarrett attended Clemson University where he was named First Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference for his senior season.

The Falcons selected Jarrett in the fifth-round of the 2015 NFL Draft. In the decade since, he became one of the faces of the team as the undisputed leader of its defense. 

"Grady is Atlanta," coach Raheem Morris said before the 2024 season. "He embodies everything that we’re about. He defines our ethos."

In the 2017 Super Bowl overtime loss to New England, Jarrett sacked Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, which tied a record for most Super Bowl sacks.

After tearing his ACL during the 2023 season, Jarrett returned to the field the next season. 

Jarrett’s contributions to the Atlanta area include his active community involvement, as the team has twice nominated him for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award.

Dig deeper:

The release comes as the Falcons deal with a significant salary cap issue, brought on in large part by a massive contract given last spring to quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is no longer the team’s starter.

According to cap space tracker Over the Cap, Jarrett was set to have a cap hit of over $20 million for the next season.  

The team's decision would reduce their cap hit to $4.1 million - a dramatic reduction.