On Sunday night, the Atlanta Falcons reportedly extended one long-tenured future Ring of Honor inductee in Jake Matthews. On Monday, they’re reportedly cutting ties with another legend, with the release of Grady Jarrett in a bid to save cap space ahead of the start of free agency.
Zach Klein of WSB TV had the news first.
Stunner… Atlanta Falcons are releasing Grady Jarrett.
Grady’s agent Todd France (@toddfrance_ on IG) of @AthletesFirst tells me.
The 2-time Pro Bowler, team captain and Walter Payton man of the year nominee will be playing elsewhere in 2025 pic.twitter.com/IOhOUTAqbw
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) March 10, 2025
I won’t lie: I’m pretty devastated by this, even if I was bracing for the move. Jarrett is more than just a player who has been around a long time, as he’s one of the better defensive tackles in team history, the heart and soul of this team and one of its consistent, most outspoken leaders, and by all accounts one of the best people in the business. The Falcons may be able to match his production on the field with other players—playing a ton of snaps coming off a major injury, Jarrett had arguably the worst season of his career, even if that was still solid—but the many things he did for the franchise and the city of Atlanta are not so easily replaced.
A fifth round pick who somehow slid in the 2015 NFL Draft, Jarrett was a part-time player in year one before breaking out as a starter in 2016, putting together an excellent sophomore season that ended with him putting forth a heroic effort and sacking Tom Brady three times in the Super Bowl we otherwise don’t talk about.
On the field this coming season, the Falcons will lean on David Onyemata (assuming he’s still around), young players like Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus, and at least a handful of additions. The hope is that Ruke will be ready to take on a major role in his second season, the way Jarrett did in 2016, and replace at least some of his production while the Falcons look for more upgrades up front.
We’ll have more of a proper tribute to Jarrett soon, but all of us here at The Falcoholic love the man, and we wish him well wherever he lands next.