The Atlanta Falcons and star offensive guard Chris Lindstrom have come to terms on an extension that will make him the highest paid at his position in the NFL.
The focus of the league right now is on the unofficial start of NFL free agency on Monday afternoon. However, while teams around the league are thinking about making outside additions to improve their team for teams for next season, it doesn’t mean they aren’t using their available cap space on locking up current stars to long-term extensions.
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That is exactly what the Atlanta Falcons did today when they and Pro Bowl guard Chris Lindstrom came to terms on an extension that could keep him in Georgia until 2028. ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler was the first to report that the team and player had “reached an agreement on a mega-extension.”
However, soon after the news broke, fellow ESPN league insider Adam Schefter revealed the details of the contract. The Atlanta Falcons will reportedly give Lindstrom a five-year, $105 million contract extension. The deal will land the 26-year-old an annual average of $21 million per season. Making him the highest-paid offensive guard in the NFL by a million dollars over Colts guard Quenton Nelson (via Spotrac).
Atlanta Falcons record (2022): 7-10. last place in the NFC South
Chris Lindstrom was drafted by the team with the 14th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Boston College. Since his addition to the roster Lindstrom quickly took on a key role on the interior of their offensive line and has been a difference-maker.
In 2022 he earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time and was the top-rated guard in the NFL last season by Pro Football Focus during a season where the Falcons were a dominant team on the ground. The deal locks up one of the best players at the position for the entirety of his prime years in the league.