ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Atlanta Falcons are releasing defensive tackle Grady Jarrett as the team struggles to get under the NFL-mandated salary cap only hours before the league’s legal tampering period begins.

Jarrett’s Atlanta-based agent, Todd France, confirmed his client’s release.

Jarrett has played his entire 10-year career with the Falcons, the same team his father, linebacker Jesse Tuggle, played for his entire 14-year career.

Tuggle’s number 58 is one of the few such numbers the Falcons have retired, and Tuggle was one of five inaugural inductees into the team’s ring of honor.

According to CBS Sports, Atlanta will save $16.25 million in cap space by not letting Jarrett play out the final season of a three-year, $49.5 million contract.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Jarrett has signed a three-year, $43.5 million deal with $28.5 million guaranteed with the Chicago Bears.

“Over the past decade, Grady has exemplified true professionalism, leadership and humility while representing both the Falcons and the city of Atlanta,” said team owner Arthur Blank. “It has been an honor to witness Grady’s growth, not only as a team captain and Pro Bowl player on the field but also as a remarkable individual and family man off the field.

“Grady’s unwavering commitment to Atlanta is reflected in his decade-long dedication to giving back to the community, deservingly earning the Falcons' nomination for the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award twice,” Blank said.

Jarrett was selected by the Falcons in the fifth round (137th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Clemson. The 6-foot, 290-pound defensive lineman appeared in 152 regular-season games (137 starts) and totaled 496 tackles (267 solo), 77 tackles for loss, a franchise-best 126 quarterback hits, 36.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries over his 10-year career with the club.

In the postseason, Jarrett started all five games he appeared in, totaling 12 tackles (nine solo), seven quarterback hits, three tackles for loss and three sacks.

The Conyers, Georgia, native is a two-time Pro Bowl selection (2019-20), a two-time Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee (2018, 2024) and a six-time team captain.

“In this business, we are often faced with difficult decisions, and this one is no exception,” Blank said. “On behalf of myself, the entire Falcons organization and the city of Atlanta, we honor and thank Grady for his incredible contributions both on and off the field. Grady will forever be part of our Falcons’ family, and we will always be here supporting him and wishing him the very best.”

Hours before Jarrett’s release, the Falcons reportedly signed another 10-year mainstay - offensive lineman Jake Mathews - to a two-year, $45 million extension. The 33-year-old has started 174 straight games at left tackle, the longest active streak in the NFL.

Matthews is the son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews and cousin of Clay Matthews III. Both of his brothers, Kevin and Mike, also played in the NFL.

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