Michael RothsteinESPN Staff Writer2 Minute Read
The Atlanta Falcons are giving Pro Bowl proper guard Chris Lindstrom a five-year extension, the franchise introduced Monday.
The deal is for 5 years and $105 million, sources informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler, making him the NFL’s highest-paid guard, and it’ll now maintain him with the membership via the 2028 season.
The Falcons additionally made a transfer to bolster their defensive position, agreeing to a three-year, $35 million cope with New Orleans Saints defensive sort out David Onyemata, a supply informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal consists of $24.5 absolutely assured.
His common of $21 million per 12 months surpasses Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson’s $20.2 million common annual worth as the best for a guard in NFL historical past. Only Lindstrom’s and Nelson’s AAV have been over $20 million.
Lindstrom, 26, was Atlanta’s first-round draft decide in 2019 out of Boston College and one in every of a number of members of the family to to play within the NFL, together with his father, Chris.
After beginning 5 video games his rookie 12 months, he is been within the lineup for each sport for the Falcons over the previous three seasons, a mainstay on Atlanta’s offensive line. Lindstrom is a transparent technician, as he is been known as for one holding penalty in his four-year profession — and that got here in 2022.
In going to Atlanta, Onyemata reunites along with his former defensive position coach, Ryan Nielsen, who turned Atlanta’s defensive coordinator in January. The defensive position was one of many Falcons’ greatest wants heading into free company. Atlanta now has a possible entrance three of Onyemata, Grady Jarrett and Ta’Quon Graham.
Onyemata, who turned 30 in November, has been a fulltime starter for the Saints for the reason that 2019 season and performed all 17 video games in 2023, setting a career-high with 25 solo tackles as he put strain on opposing quarterbacks. He additionally tallied 5 sacks for a protection that gave up simply 314.8 yards per sport (fifth within the NFL) however ranked twenty fourth towards the run (130.5 yards allowed per sport).
Onyemata, who’s from Lagos, Nigeria, has spent his total profession with the Saints after they chose him within the fourth-round of the 2016 draft. He had by no means seen a soccer sport earlier than enrolling and enjoying on the University of Manitoba. In his seven seasons in New Orleans, Onyemata has 244 tackles, 23 sacks, a pressured fumble, two recoveries and an interception.
Lindstrom had a 92.7 go block win charge final season, in line with ESPN Stats & Information analysis, and a run block win charge of 73%.
In extending Lindstrom, Atlanta locks up two of its centerpieces of the offensive line — left sort out Jake Matthews and Lindstrom — till doubtlessly 2026.
Lindstrom stated after the season he needed to stay in Atlanta — he was going into his fifth-year possibility 12 months — and that he hoped the franchise and his brokers would be capable of get one thing finished.
“I wish to be right here,” Lindstrom stated in January. “I wish to be a Falcon for my entire profession.”
ESPN’s Katherine Terrell contributed to this report.
