This year the Atlanta Falcons handed four big contract extensions, inking lucrative long-term deals with wide receiver Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts, left guard Matthew Bergeron and running back Bijan Robinson.
Now we can add one more name to that list.
Late last night it was reported that the Falcons have agreed to a new contract with defensive tackle Gervon Dexter, worth up to $78 million over four years
.Atlanta brought Dexter in at the end of the preseason in a surprise trade with the Chicago Bears, who apparently weren't in the mood to give Dexter a long-term deal. It's their loss, because the Falcons gained a valuable interior defender who can both pressure the quarterback and plug the run - one who's still in his prime at just 24 years
old.
Dexter's new deal with the Falcons averages $19.5 million per year, which ranks 21st in the league at his position, just behind the returning Aaron Donald's deal with the Rams. The contract also includes $46.5 million guaranteed, which ranks 13th among interior defensive linemen.
Considering Dexter's age and the very likely prospect that his best football is still ahead of him, this is a pretty solid team-friendly deal, if not quite highway robbery.
Credit general manager Ian Cunningham and president Matt Ryan for securing another important piece for the long run. If Michael Penix does indeed turn out to be the guy at quarterback, a championship window might be opening for Atlanta as long as these five key pieces and a few others are still in their prime.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Where Gervon Dexter's new contract ranks him among NFL DTs
