Rаһeem Morrіѕ, Artһur Blаnk tаlk tһe devаѕtаtіng loѕѕ of Grаdy Jаrrett

Since Terry Fontenot took over in Atlanta, the Falcons have said goodbye to three future Ring of Honor members, with the latest being Grady Jarrett.

First, it was Julio Jones, who was traded to the Titans following a shocking phone call with Shannon Sharpe on Undisputed. Then, it was Matt Ryan. The Falcons traded the greatest player in franchise history to the Colts after getting caught with their pants around their ankles in pursuit of Deshaun Watson.

With Jarrett, it was much less dramatic. His cap hit was north of $20 million, and he wasn’t playing like it. The Falcons were up against the salary cap, but Jarrett was unwilling to work out a deal, and it’s easy to see why. The Bears were willing to somewhat overpay for Grady Jarrett’s services, and his agent probably knew it.

It was probably the most amicable way the split could’ve happened, but it doesn’t lessen the sting whatsoever. That sting resonates throughout the organization too, not just the fans. Grady Jarrett spent a decade in Atlanta with the Falcons; Arthur Blank and Raheem Morris know just how special he was to the fans and franchise as a whole.

“It was very painful. You end up with emotional attachments to almost all the players. Someone like Grady becomes like a version of another child. You are not going to find anybody who gave more to the team, on the field, off the field,” Blank said.

“That was one of the tougher decisions of the offseason,” Morris said of being unable to reach a deal. “I can’t say nothing but positive things about Grady.”

The Falcons did Matt Ryan wrong, and who even knows what the hell happened behind the scenes with Julio Jones, but Grady Jarrett and the franchise parted on fine terms. It sucks that he wasn’t able to reach the playoffs again since the first few years of his career, but hoepfully, he finds success in the Windy City.