Jaeden Graham Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons re-sign TE Jaeden Graham

He’s not what Jimmy Graham once was, but the Atlanta Falcons are bringing back their own J. Graham at tight end — Jaeden Graham.

The Falcons announced Friday afternoon they have re-signed Graham. According to Spotrac, the contract is a 1-year deal worth $850,000.

Graham showed flashes as a pass catcher in the 2019 preseason, but he hasn’t translated that into games that count yet. He has 12 receptions for 174 yards and a touchdown in two seasons with the Falcons.

But he’s been very reliable. Graham has dressed for all 16 games each of the last two seasons. When called upon in the short passing game, he has also delivered, hauling in 12 of his 15 career targets. Graham caught his touchdown against the New Orleans Saints on Thanksgiving in 2019.

With Graham under contract, the Falcons have 41 players on the active roster. The team is also about $7.6 million over the salary cap, but the Falcons are working furiously to get under the cap before free agency begins next week. Also Friday, the Falcons restructured Jake Matthews’ contract to save more than $9 million in salary for 2021. The Falcons are likely planning to restructure contracts for defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and linebacker Deion Jones as well.

Other than Graham, Hayden Hurst, who will count as about $1.9 million against the cap in 2021, is the only other tight end on the Falcons roster heading into free agency.