The Falcons are releasing defensive tackle Tyson Jackson, a league source tells ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure. Jackson had two years and $8.5MM left on his contract. ESPN’s Field Yates tweets that Jackson will be cut with the post-June 1st designation.
By cutting Jackson, Atlanta will save $2.65MM against this year’s cap. The defensive lineman originally signed a five-year, $25MM deal with the Falcons in 2014. The move was expected given Jackson’s iffy production as of late.
Last year, Jackson finished out with 13 total tackles and two pass deflections in 16 games (seven starts). The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus rated him as just the No. 67 interior defender in the NFL out of 127 qualified players. His grades for run defense, pass rush, and coverage were all poor in his 389 total snaps. The Falcons are expected to prioritize the pass rush this offseason.
Jackson had started 28 games for the Falcons during his first two years in the organization. During his time in Atlanta, the lineman failed to produce as he had with the Chiefs. The 30-year-old failed to record a sack in any of his three seasons with the team.