The Falcons have locked up a pair of key pieces on their special teams unit to long-term contracts, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter links), who reports that the team has inked punter Matt Bosher to an extension through the 2019 season and long snapper Josh Harris to a contract through 2018.
Bosher, who turns 27 next month, has been the Falcons’ full-time punter since being selected by the team in the sixth round of the 2011 draft. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced grades (subscription required), he has steadily improved in each of his first three NFL seasons, ranking 25th in his rookie season, 16th in 2012, and fifth last year. Yates reports that Bosher’s new deal, which keeps him under team control for the next five seasons after this one, includes a $2.5MM signing bonus and $5.95MM in total guaranteed money.
As for Harris, this is his third season as Atlanta’s regular long snapper. Terms of his new deal aren’t known, but I’d imagine he’ll be earning something close to the minimum salary, perhaps with a modest signing bonus on his four-year contract extension.