Atlanta Falcons CB AJ Terrell ‘so locked in’ entering contract year

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris hasn’t coached defensive backs in nine years, but that hasn’t stopped him from drawing on his past experiences.

During OTAs, Morris took a few reps at the cornerback position to help the receivers work on their releases off the line of scrimmage. He also revisited a saying that frequented the halls he once coached: “The secondary drives the bus.”

And in Atlanta, cornerback AJ Terrell is behind the wheel.

Morris called Terrell a phenomenal and proven player, but the work he did off the field was just as vital in cementing that reputation.

The Falcons secondary has faced questions throughout the spring, as the players behind Terrell and safety Jessie Bates III are not as established in their roles. But so far, the unit has eased any potential concerns Morris and his staff had.

Whether it’s movement, ball skills or the quest for greatness, Morris believes the back line of Atlanta’s defense is off to a good start – thanks in large part to the leadership Terrell provided in within the IBM Performance Facility.

“There’s no doubt when you look at the work these guys do,” Morris said. “It started in the weight room when AJ and (Dee) Alford and those guys were all working out. Then you see another DB come in another day … and you’re like, ‘Man, these guys have been working for greatness for a while.'”

But it’s not just about individual greatness. Instead, Morris believes the Terrell-led group is trending toward uniform greatness that will ultimately translate to the field this fall.

The Falcons podcast: Watch | Spotify | Apple pods

Morris’s belief in Terrell is far from summer love. When the Falcons drafted Terrell 16th overall in 2020, Morris was the team’s defensive coordinator. Atlanta loved Terrell’s mindset, demeanor and toughness.

The only hit thrown at him, Morris said, was being beaten “pretty bad” by then-LSU receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson in the national championship, which turned out to be the Terrell’s final college game. Chase and Jefferson quickly became All-Pro players and their quarterback, Joe Burrow, became the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.

Jefferson, Chase and Burrow made a lot of great players look inferior.

Now 25, Terrell finds himself in a different place both as a player and as a person since Morris left for the Los Angeles Rams following the 2020 season.

Through four campaigns, Terrell has started all 61 appearances and carries an All-Pro honoree in his back pocket. He has held opposing passers to a success rate of 56% or less in each of the last three years and began tracking receivers more often in 2023.

Terrell hasn’t recorded an interception in two seasons because quarterbacks have been enticed to move away from him, but his stock remains high in the Atlanta building. He’s entering a contract year, and while neither Morris nor general manager Terry Fontenot addressed Terrell’s long-term future, they spoke fondly of what he’s done and what his future holds. .

And Morris, now halfway through his first OTA session with Terrell in Atlanta, has already seen the progression that has taken place over the last three and a half years.

“He does a really good job,” Morris said. “AJ has been so locked in. The player and the thoughtfulness he puts behind everything he does has really reached a different level since I’ve been back.”

Terrell suffered a hamstring strain earlier this week and was limited in practice as a precaution, Morris said, but it is not expected to be a long-term ailment.

So Terrell’s fifth professional season remains on track — a season driven by a bus currently surrounded by 90 players with Terrell and his fellow defensive backs leading the way.

“His ability to get to that level with the effort and energy to play that position has been really exciting to watch and exciting to see,” Morris said.

Follow all the hawks on Facebook | X