The Atlanta Falcons signed defensive end Cameron Thomas and cornerback C.J. Henderson to multiyear Falcons extensions Friday, the team announced.
Terms of the deals
ProFootballTalk reported that Thomas and the Falcons reached agreement on a three-year extension through the 2029 season, and that the deal is worth “up to” $33 million, citing ESPN. ProFootballTalk also noted Thomas originally joined Atlanta on a one-year, $3.1 million contract in March.
ProFootballTalk said the Falcons expect Thomas to be a starter for years to come after he has started every game for the team this season.
Henderson’s role and new contract
The Falcons announced a two-year extension with cornerback C.J. Henderson, ProFootballTalk reported. Henderson is in his second season with Atlanta after spending much of last year on the practice squad and being active for four games, ProFootballTalk said.
This season, Henderson has started the last six games at the boundary corner after A.J. Terrell went on injured reserve and has performed well in that role, the report said. Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich praised Henderson, saying, “It’s been a fun journey with C.J.,” via the Falcons’ website.
Career context
ProFootballTalk summarized Henderson’s career path, noting he entered the NFL as the ninth overall pick in the 2020 draft, struggled early in Jacksonville, was traded to Carolina and spent much of his career viewed as a disappointment. The outlet added that Henderson has used the opportunity in Atlanta to reinvent himself and is being rewarded with a new contract.
ProFootballTalk also recapped Thomas’s NFL journey: originally a third-round pick by Arizona in 2022, later moved through stops including Kansas City and Cleveland before landing with the Falcons, where he has become a regular starter this season.
Sources: ESPN, ProFootballTalk