Falcons LT Jake Matthews agrees to $45M extension, sources say
The Atlanta Falcons’ first major move of the offseason was to lock up their most experienced player.
The Falcons agreed with former Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Matthews on a two-year, $45 million extension, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Sunday. NFL Network was the first to report the news. The deal was negotiated by agent Ryan Williams of Athletes First.
Matthews, 33, still had another year left on his previous contract. This will likely keep one of the team’s franchise players, an 11-year veteran, in Atlanta at least through 2026. Matthews will get $38 million guaranteed, NFL Network reported.
In his previous contract, Matthews’ salary cap number would have been nearly $22 million next season. This extension is expected to give Atlanta salary cap relief. The team had been over the cap coming into the offseason.
Matthews has been with the Falcons since being drafted sixth overall by Atlanta in 2014. He has been a starter from day one, including covering the blind side for quarterback Matt Ryan when the Falcons went to the Super Bowl after the 2016 season. Matthews, a 2018 Pro Bowl selection, is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews.
Sean McVay joins Pat McAfee to discuss Matthew Stafford’s return to the Los Angeles Rams. (2:26)
LOS ANGELES — Less than two weeks ago, the Los Angeles Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford were still working through contract negotiations, leaving many questions about what Sean McVay’s offense would look like in 2025.
The Rams agreed to an adjusted contract with Stafford last week, then got the attention of the league Sunday by coming to terms with wide receiver Davante Adams on a two-year contract worth $46 million. Suddenly the Rams — with plenty of cap space left to spend in free agency, and the draft still ahead — have established themselves as the favorites in the NFC West. And, after taking the Eagles down to the wire in the toughest game of Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run, Los Angeles suddenly looks like an even stronger contender in the NFC.
Within the division, the 49ers must prepare for quarterback Brock Purdy’s new contract and look likely to lose more than they’ll gain this offseason — they already took steps toward reworking their roster by trading receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. to the Washington Commanders earlier in the month — and the Seattle Seahawks just traded their starting quarterback in Geno Smith and No. 1 wideout in DK Metcalf. The third-place Arizona Cardinals started strong before fading quickly last season and remain something of an unknown.
That leaves the Rams in a prime position to repeat as division champions with an offense led by Stafford, running back Kyren Williams and wide receivers Puka Nacua and Adams. Los Angeles already informed wide receiver Cooper Kupp of its intent to trade him, and while general manager Les Snead said last week that the “least likely” scenario was that Kupp would be back on the roster in 2025, Adams’ addition cements that even further.
Before the start of the window in which the Rams can negotiate with pending free agents, they not only added Adams but also re-signed left tackle Alaric Jackson to a three-year deal and wide receiver Tutu Atwell to a one-year contract.
The Rams, who won the NFC West in 2024, also return the majority of their young defense, a group that took big strides during the season under defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
The defense, without future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald, was largely built through the past two drafts. Before the Adams addition, Over the Cap had the Rams with $45 million in cap space — and that includes Kupp’s nearly $30 million cap hit in 2025. It also does not take into account Stafford’s adjusted contract.
Adams has been a consistent contributor during his 11 NFL seasons, and his 103 receiving touchdowns are the 10th most in NFL history. According to ESPN Research, Adams has recorded 1,000 receiving yards in five straight seasons, which is tied for the second-longest active streak in the NFL.
The veteran receiver has also had a lot of success in the red zone, something the Rams struggled with last season. According to ESPN Research, the Rams ranked 25th in red zone touchdown percentage last season. Over the past five seasons, Adams has caught 40 red zone touchdowns, which is five more than any other player.
In late January, days after the Rams lost to the Eagles in the playoffs, McVay was asked what he wanted his offense to look like next season. The “biggest thing,” he said, was “a little bit more versatility.” McVay pointed to the lack of continuity the Rams’ offense had last season because of injuries but said, “You can’t allow that to inhibit us the way that it did.”
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“I could go on and on about the variety of things that I’m excited about attacking to hopefully avoid some of the pitfalls that we had throughout the year to ultimately lead to more consistent production and play regardless of whatever our injury situation is,” McVay said.
While signing Adams isn’t the only answer needed to have a more consistent offense in 2025, the addition is a strong start before the beginning of the new league year Wednesday.
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Jake Matthews agrees to two-year extension with Falcons
Sunday’s been filled with news of contract extensions around the NFL and you can add Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews to the list.
NFL Media reports that the Falcons and Matthews have agreed to a two-year contract extension. The deal is worth $45 million and includes $38 million in guaranteed money.
Matthews had two more years left on his current contract, but none of his base salary of $15.5 million was guaranteed in either year.
Matthews has missed one start since being selected by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick of the 2014 draft and his 179 career games ranks seventh in franchise history. The new deal sets him up to move even higher up the list before he reaches the end of the line.
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Report: Falcons agree to terms on contract extension with Jake Matthews
Falcons Digital Team Reporter
Disclaimer: The statements and opinions regarding players and/or potential future players in the article below are those of the AtlantaFalcons.com editorial staff and are not of the Atlanta Falcons’ football personnel unless noted in a direct quote.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a contract extension with left tackle Jake Matthews, according to a report by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.
The extension is reportedly for two years and worth $45 million. Matthews will receive $38 million fully guaranteed between 2025-26, too.
The #Falcons agreed to a two-year, $45m extension with LT Jake Matthews, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Matthews gets $38m fully guaranteed the next two seasons, years 12 and 13 as Atlanta’s blind-side — er, front-side — protector. Deal done by @RyanWilliamsA1 of @AthletesFirst. pic.twitter.com/wlaeHz4yI1
News of Matthews’ reported extension broke late Sunday night. This marks the Falcons’ second extension prior to the 2025 league year’s official commencement on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET. Long snapper Liam McCullough signed his own contract extension last Thursday.
Matthews had two years left on his contract, which last received a three-year extension in 2022. He was set to become a free agent in 2027, but now that year pushes back to 2029. At that point in time, Matthews will have completed his 15th season; the 2024 season marked his 11th.
RELATED: Why Jake Matthews is Mr. Consistent
The Falcons brought Matthews to Atlanta with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He has started 179 of a possible 180 games since then. The only game he has missed so far in his career was the second of his rookie season. Matthews was inactive due to a high-ankle sprain he sustained in his NFL debut the week before.
On Nov. 26, 2023 – a Week 12 win against the New Orleans Saints – Matthews surpassed former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan for the most consecutive starts in franchise history. Ryan’s benchmark of 154 started in 2009 and ended in 2019. Matthews’ began in 2014 and continues into 2025, currently at 178.
Matthews is 33 years old and originally from Missouri City, Texas.
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