Because of a 2021 restructure, Dante Fowler was set to be a free agent at the start of the new league year in March. The Falcons moved up that timetable, making the veteran edge defender available now.
Atlanta moved Fowler’s contract off its books Wednesday, releasing him a month before the start of the 2022 league year, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Because of the bonus proration, this move still tags the Falcons with more than $4M in dead money. For Fowler, this separation is a chance for him to catch on with a team before free agency opens.
Fowler did well on the 2020 market, signing a three-year deal worth $48M. The Falcons did not receive especially good value on the contract. The former Jaguars and Rams pass rusher registered just 7.5 sacks in 28 games with the Falcons, totaling 16 quarterback hits in that span. Fowler finished with 11.5 sacks and 16 QB hits during his Rams contract year in 2019. Redoing his deal last March voided the final year of his contract.
Because of his past two seasons, it should not be expected Fowler will do nearly as well as a free agent this year. However, the former top-five pick is just 27 and has a couple of strong seasons on his resume. He recorded eight sacks with the Jags back in 2017, helping the team to the AFC Championship Game as a rotational rusher.
Most of the high-end edge rushers on this year’s market are older than Fowler, with the likes of Von Miller, Chandler Jones, Jason Pierre-Paul, Jadeveon Clowney and Mario Addison being among the biggest names set to be available. Fowler will have the advantage of being able to sign earlier, and it will be interesting how teams value him ahead of free agency.
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