As Matthew Chambers wrote earlier today, the Falcons are reportedly not that close to consummating a new deal for Grady Jarrett. That’s worrisome for many reasons, but especially so because the deadline to get that deal done is very much looming.
The new league year begins on midnight on Thursday, March 14. At that point, all expiring contracts expire, and Jarrett would be a full-fledged free agent at that point. Unfortunately, the Falcons don’t even have that much time, as the deadline to apply the franchise tag comes on Tuesday, March 5. Given his talent, age, and production in 2018, he’d be getting monster offers left and right, and the chances of the Falcons keeping him would be significantly decreased.