The Falcons signed inside linebacker JD Bertrand to a rookie contract, the team announced Friday.
Bertrand’s rookie contract is worth an estimated $4.3 million, according to OverTheCap.com. In 2024, he would be capped at $882,506, with a maximum of $1.27 million in 2027.
Learn more about the Falcons’ No. 143 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Height: 6-0.
Weight: 235.
School: Notre Dame.
2023 numbers include 12 starts, 76 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Honors: led Notre Dame in tackles (101, 82, 76) from 2021 to 2023.
Terry Fontenot, the general manager, said, “JD Bertrand is Blessed Trinity’s finest. We’re quite excited about him. You discuss a smart, instinctive football player, the character, and the makeup. He’s a four-down player because of his abilities as a run defender, coverage, and kicker, all of which are important.
When we draft everyone, we must have a vision for them and how they will contribute to that area. We are thrilled about his contributions in all of those areas.”
Head coach Raheem Morris said, “That guy is the definition of makeup. Captain America will participate in various ways, as he has throughout his history. I have to brag about him. His process was ideal for us. When you talk to him and he talks about his daily rhythm and pattern that he developed for himself in college over the offseason, I guarantee you he’s going to be one of those individuals that we’ll have to try to hold back a little bit.”
Fontenot continued, “This guy eats, breathes, and sleeps football. It’s all about football for him. It was very thrilling to spend time with him, sitting down, going through it, and discussing the process. Like Raheem mentioned, “We’re very excited about him.”