Falcons sorry to lose Jarrett in ‘football decision’
NOTEBOOK
Coach Raheem Morris (second from left) meets with reporters on Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings in Palm Beach, Fla., covering topics ranging from defensive line to nickel back to kicker. LYNNE SLADKY/AP
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PALM BEACH, FLA. — Falcons owner Arthur Blank and coach Raheem Morris lamented the loss of two time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Grady Jarrett in free agency at the NFL owners meetings on Tuesday.
“You’re not going to find anybody who gave more to the team on the field, off the field,” Blank said. “Unbelievable community leader. Leader of players.”
After the Falcons couldn’t reach a deal to retain Jarrett, he was released. Within hours, he was signed by the Bears.
“So, the decision, the football decision, about how we use our dollars,” Blank said. “Those are very tough choices. There’s no question that Grady was an anchor to our defense for a very long period of time, physically and emotionally. Not just defense, but the entire locker room. So it was painful to see him leave.”
Morris was an assistant coach with the Falcons when they took Jarrett, from Rockdale High and Clemson, in the fifth round of the 2015 draft.
“That was tough,” Morris said.
“Again, business situation that you don’t ever talk (about) with your players. Especially a guy who means so much to your team, your building, your state. … That was one of the tougher decisions that went on over the offseason, when you’ve got to find a way to make all of these things meet. We talked about how do we fit it (under) the (salary) cap and how you want to have a person fit in.”
Jarrett would have carried a $20.3 million salary-cap number for the 2025 season. The Falcons needed to lower that number.
The talks broke down.
After the sides parted ways, Jarrett agreed to a three-year, $43.5 million deal with the Bears.
“It didn’t work out, and it was really unfortunate for us,” Morris said. “We lost a great human. It was one of those things (where) we couldn’t reach an agreement. It was a business deal. No hard feelings from myself toward Grady. He’s definitely going to be missed.”
Neuzil to take over: The Falcons also lost center Drew Dalman in free agency to the Bears.
He signed a three-year, $42 million deal. Dalman, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, took less money to go to the Bears.
General manager Terry Fontenot and Morris are fine with Ryan Neuzil, who started eight games last season, taking over a center.
“Definitely feel comfortable with Neuzil,” Morris said. “We got a chance to look at him when Dalman was out.” Fontenot also raved about Neuzil’s work last season, when he played 577 offensive snaps (51%).
Neuzil went undrafted out of Appalachian State.
Free agency: The Falcons also have not commented on their free-agent signings.
“It’s always hard to have two big back-to-back years in free agency,” Morris said. “Signing the No. 1 free agent in last year’s class, you have to have a realistic approach to how you want to do it.”
The Falcons’ key signees this offseason are outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, linebacker Divine Deablo and safety Jordan Fuller.
“Just put those guys in, plug and play,” Morris said. “Let those guys go fight for everything. On defense, you can play a lot of things. You can have guys play different spots.”
Defensive line help: The Falcons signed veteran defensive tackle Morgan Fox to help with the younger players on the roster.
“He’s a guy who’s been a part of rush units for a while,” Morris said. “He’s been a complementary piece at a couple of different spots. He’s been able to help out with younger guys and their development.”
Phillips to get shot at nickel: Clark Phillips III, who was drafted in the third round (113th overall) in 2023 out of Utah, will get a shot to start at nickel back, which is an open spot.
Last season’s nickel back, Dee Alford, was not re-signed in free agency.
“Clark was outside,” Morris said. “We are going to give it a rip. I talked to Clark about it. That’s the cool part about talking to your players and coming up with real challenges and real things that you want to do this year.”
Competition for Koo: The Falcons also signed kicker Lenny Krieg, a native of Germany, to provide some competition for Younghoe Koo.
In 28 games for the Stuttgart Surge over the past two seasons, Krieg made 21 of 29 field-goal attempts, with a long of 52 yards.
He made 109 of 141 extra-point attempts.
Last season, Koo struggled before ending the season on injured reserve with a right hip injury. The normally dependable Koo missed nine field-goal attempts, making 25 of 34.
“Big leg,” Morris said of Krieg.
“I feel really confident about Koo and what he’s going to be able to do in his bounce-back year.”
“You’re not going to find anybody who gave more to the team on the field, off the field,” Blank said. “Unbelievable community leader. Leader of players.”
After the Falcons couldn’t reach a deal to retain Jarrett, he was released. Within hours, he was signed by the Bears.
“So, the decision, the football decision, about how we use our dollars,” Blank said. “Those are very tough choices. There’s no question that Grady was an anchor to our defense for a very long period of time, physically and emotionally. Not just defense, but the entire locker room. So it was painful to see him leave.”
Morris was an assistant coach with the Falcons when they took Jarrett, from Rockdale High and Clemson, in the fifth round of the 2015 draft.
“That was tough,” Morris said.
“Again, business situation that you don’t ever talk (about) with your players. Especially a guy who means so much to your team, your building, your state. … That was one of the tougher decisions that went on over the offseason, when you’ve got to find a way to make all of these things meet. We talked about how do we fit it (under) the (salary) cap and how you want to have a person fit in.”
Jarrett would have carried a $20.3 million salary-cap number for the 2025 season. The Falcons needed to lower that number.
The talks broke down.
After the sides parted ways, Jarrett agreed to a three-year, $43.5 million deal with the Bears.
“It didn’t work out, and it was really unfortunate for us,” Morris said. “We lost a great human. It was one of those things (where) we couldn’t reach an agreement. It was a business deal. No hard feelings from myself toward Grady. He’s definitely going to be missed.”
Neuzil to take over: The Falcons also lost center Drew Dalman in free agency to the Bears.
He signed a three-year, $42 million deal. Dalman, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, took less money to go to the Bears.
General manager Terry Fontenot and Morris are fine with Ryan Neuzil, who started eight games last season, taking over a center.
“Definitely feel comfortable with Neuzil,” Morris said. “We got a chance to look at him when Dalman was out.” Fontenot also raved about Neuzil’s work last season, when he played 577 offensive snaps (51%).
Neuzil went undrafted out of Appalachian State.
Free agency: The Falcons also have not commented on their free-agent signings.
“It’s always hard to have two big back-to-back years in free agency,” Morris said. “Signing the No. 1 free agent in last year’s class, you have to have a realistic approach to how you want to do it.”
The Falcons’ key signees this offseason are outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, linebacker Divine Deablo and safety Jordan Fuller.
“Just put those guys in, plug and play,” Morris said. “Let those guys go fight for everything. On defense, you can play a lot of things. You can have guys play different spots.”
Defensive line help: The Falcons signed veteran defensive tackle Morgan Fox to help with the younger players on the roster.
“He’s a guy who’s been a part of rush units for a while,” Morris said. “He’s been a complementary piece at a couple of different spots. He’s been able to help out with younger guys and their development.”
Phillips to get shot at nickel: Clark Phillips III, who was drafted in the third round (113th overall) in 2023 out of Utah, will get a shot to start at nickel back, which is an open spot.
Last season’s nickel back, Dee Alford, was not re-signed in free agency.
“Clark was outside,” Morris said. “We are going to give it a rip. I talked to Clark about it. That’s the cool part about talking to your players and coming up with real challenges and real things that you want to do this year.”
Competition for Koo: The Falcons also signed kicker Lenny Krieg, a native of Germany, to provide some competition for Younghoe Koo.
In 28 games for the Stuttgart Surge over the past two seasons, Krieg made 21 of 29 field-goal attempts, with a long of 52 yards.
He made 109 of 141 extra-point attempts.
Last season, Koo struggled before ending the season on injured reserve with a right hip injury. The normally dependable Koo missed nine field-goal attempts, making 25 of 34.
“Big leg,” Morris said of Krieg.
“I feel really confident about Koo and what he’s going to be able to do in his bounce-back year.”