Falcons Extend Edge Rusher Cameron Thomas and CB CJ Henderson
Atlanta locks up two defensive starters, giving Thomas a three-year deal worth up to $33 million and Henderson a two-year deal worth up to $20 million
Days after trading away Jessie Bates, the Falcons spent Friday morning locking up two defenders who have turned into starters. Atlanta agreed to a three-year extension with edge rusher Cameron Thomas worth up to $33 million that ties him to the team through the 2029 season, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.
The Falcons and EDGE Cameron Thomas reached agreement on a three-year extension worth up to $33 million, tying him to Atlanta through the 2029 season, per @rapsheet and me. @EquitySports CEO Chris Cabott and Falcons GM Ian Cunningham and SVP Bryce Johnston wrapped up the agreement Thursday night.View on X →
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter): The Falcons and EDGE Cameron Thomas reached agreement on a three-year extension worth up to $33 million, tying him to Atlanta through the 2029 season, per @rapsheet and me. @EquitySports CEO Chris Cabott and Falcons GM Ian Cunningham and SVP Bryce Johnston wrapped up the agreement Thursday night.
Then came the second deal. Cornerback CJ Henderson agreed to a two-year extension worth up to $20 million with $11 million guaranteed, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported. The team announced both extensions Friday.
The #Falcons aren’t done, also agreeing to terms on a 2-year extension for CB CJ Henderson worth up to $20M with $11M guaranteed, per me and @MikeGarafolo. Deal done by agents Jon Perzley and Dan Scardigno of @SPORTSTARSNYC.View on X →
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet): The #Falcons aren’t done, also agreeing to terms on a 2-year extension for CB CJ Henderson worth up to $20M with $11M guaranteed, per me and @MikeGarafolo. Deal done by agents Jon Perzley and Dan Scardigno of @SPORTSTARSNYC.
Thomas has outplayed the one-year, $3.1 million contract he signed in the offseason. The 26-year-old has two sacks and a career-high 12 quarterback hits, leads Atlanta's edge rushers in pressure rate and has played 63.3% of the defensive snaps, more than any other Falcons lineman, according to ESPN. A 2022 third-round pick of the Cardinals, he spent two seasons in Cleveland under Kevin Stefanski, and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said Thomas was the first name Stefanski brought up when Atlanta went looking for an edge rusher in the offseason.
Henderson's road was longer. The No. 9 overall pick by Jacksonville in 2020 was traded to Carolina, signed and released by Houston and spent time on Pittsburgh's practice squad before landing in Atlanta. The 28-year-old has started the last six games at boundary corner, and his role only grows with Bates now in Jacksonville after the Falcons sent him to the Jaguars for second- and fifth-round picks.
The 3-6 Falcons have lost four of five but sit just a half-game out of first place in the NFC South. They host the 6-2 Chiefs on Sunday at 10 a.m. PT before their bye.