The Atlanta Falcons have signed cornerback C.J. Henderson to a two-year contract extension, the team announced on a Friday morning. Henderson, a former top-10 pick drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, has found a new footing in Atlanta after a difficult start to his career. NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported that the deal is worth up to $20 million, with $11 million guaranteed.

Henderson was named the Falcons' No. 2 cornerback on their Week 10 depth chart ahead of Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, and he has outplayed veteran Mike Hughes on the outside. In nine games this season he has recorded 41 tackles (32 solo), nine passes defended and one forced fumble. Last year he was mostly a practice squad player who was active for only four games, but after A.J. Terrell went on injured reserve he started the last six games at boundary corner.S1S2

Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich praised Henderson for reinventing himself after arriving with a well-known past in the league. Henderson, now 28, was the ninth overall pick in the 2020 draft, was a disappointment in Jacksonville, and was traded to the Panthers during his second season, leaving him viewed for much of his career as a draft bust.S2S1

The Falcons also extended defensive end Cameron Thomas on the same day. According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, Thomas signed a three-year extension worth up to $33 million that keeps him in Atlanta through the 2029 season. Schefter reported that Equity Sports CEO Chris Cabott and Falcons GM Ian Cunningham and SVP Bryce Johnston finalized that agreement on Thursday night.S1