The Atlanta Falcons have moved swiftly through the first few months of the offseason by further strengthening their roster. The bulk of this attention has gone toward adding pieces to the puzzle on the defensive side of the ball.
According to Field Yates of ESPN, the Falcons have made the decision to pick up the fifth-year option worth $14.2 million for the 2019 season on Pro Bowl defensive end Vic Beasley.
The Falcons have officially exercised the fifth-year option on DE Vic Beasley.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 25, 2018
The Falcons have made the choice to go this route well ahead of the May 3 deadline that is in place for teams to pick up the fifth-year option for the first-round selections in the 2015 NFL Draft. He is one of several big-name players from that draft class to have their fifth-year option already exercised.
This is a simple decision for Atlanta given the important role along the defensive line that Beasley has played through his first four years. Although his production has fluctuated over his brief NFL career, he has shown the tremendous ability to impact the game as a pass-rusher, which is a crucial part of the Falcons defense. Beasley is also just a season removed from his breakout campaign in 2016 where he recorded a career-high and league-best 15.5 sacks while notching six forced fumbles.
The 25-year-old has an extremely bright future ahead of him to become one of the league's premier pass rushers over the next several seasons as a potentially key piece of the puzzle defensively in Atlanta for the long haul. He is one of the most athletically-gifted players at his position that is regarded as one of the top young defensive ends in the league.
Depending on his performs this upcoming season, it could factor in greatly to what type of extension the Falcons may offer him next offseason. In the meantime, the Falcons have at least secured him under contract through the 2019 season
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