Defensive end Carl Granderson has reportedly agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract extension with the New Orleans Saints. The contract includes $35.3 million guaranteed. The former undrafted free agent gets a big payday from the team that signed him back in 2019.
Compensation update: Saints are signing DE Carl Granderson to a four-year, $52 million contract extension that includes $35.3 million guaranteed, source said.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 23, 2023
Granderson had a successful college career at Wyoming, recording 16.5 total sacks and 35.5 tackles for loss. He signed a UDFA deal with the Saints in 2019.
Granderson, 26, has been an outstanding player ever since. Throughout his career, he has totaled 108 tackles, 17 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, 34 quarterback hits, and four forced fumbles. He has just nine career starts but has been consistently solid when he plays. He tallied a career-high 5.5 sacks and 9 tackles for loss last season despite playing just 45 percent of snaps. In 2020, Granderson notched five sacks on 30 percent, followed by three sacks on 45 percent in 2021.
Through two games in 2023, Granderson has stepped his game up tremendously. The talented pass-rusher has solidified his role as a starter on the Saints’ defense.
Granderson has a team-high 2.5 sacks, six quarterback hits, and a forced fumble so far. He leads his team in pressures with 11, ranks seventh in the league among edge rushers in pass-rush win rate with 21.8 percent, and has a PFF pass-rush grade of 84.4, which ranks ninth-highest in the league.
Granderson has become a critical piece in the Saints pass-rush and earned himself a handsome payday. He seems to be in the midst of a true breakout season, and New Orleans made sure to keep him in town through his prime years.
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