JD Bertrand rookie contract details with Atlanta Falcons revealed after NFL Draft

Following JD Bertrand‘s No. 143 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, his rookie contract numbers have been revealed.

According to Spotrac, the former Fighting Irish star will sign a four-year rookie deal worth approximately $4.369 million. As a fifth-round draft pick, Bertrand’s rookie deal won’t come with a fifth-year option for the Falcons, which means unless they extend or re-sign him, he’ll become a free agent after the 2027 season.

Falcons select Bertrand in fifth round

In 2023, Bertrand made 75 tackles (40 solo), compiled 2.5 sacks and defended 4 passes. He also forced a fumble in Notre Dame’s win over Wake Forest. The linebacker was a two-time captain under head coach Marcus Freeman and led the defense in tackles in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He started 34 games for Notre Dame at the middle linebacker position after redshirting his first year.

Bertrand totaled 266 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 7 passes defended during his career for the Fighting Irish. He was also a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy — college football’s top community service award — and the William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the Academic Heisman.

Due to a plantar fascia injury, Bertrand was not able to participate in on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine. Even still, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had the Notre Dame standout as a top 150 overall player in the draft. He was also Kiper’s No. 8 off-ball linebacker.

As a member of the Class of 2019, Bertrand was a four-star recruit out of Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 33 overall prospect in the state of Georgia and the No. 37 linebacker in the class. He also ranked as the No. 310 prospect in the nation.