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James Pearce signs rookie contract with Atlanta Falcons

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•05/12/25•

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Tennessee Volunteers EDGE James Pearce readies to rush the quarterback - Matt Ray/Volquest On3
Tennessee Volunteers EDGE James Pearce readies to rush the quarterback - Matt Ray/Volquest On3

James Pearce has signed his rookie contract with the Atlanta Falcons, a four-year deal worth $16.7 million, including an $8.8 million signing bonus, according to Spotrac. The former Tennessee Football star edge rusher was the No. 26 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

The contract runs through the 2028 season and includes a club option for 2029, before Pearce would become an unrestricted free agent in 2030. His base pay will increase from $840,000 to $1,235,000 over the next four seasons, on top of the $8,842,736 signing bonus. 

Pearce was the highest pick among Tennessee’s four players selected in last month’s NFL Draft, with the Falcons trading back into the first round to pick him at No. 26. 

Dont’e Thornton, Dylan Sampson have signed rookie contracts

Defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott was taken in the second round at No. 63 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs. Wide receiver Dont’e Thornton and running back Dylan Sampson were both fourth-round picks.

Thornton going at No. 108 to the Las Vegas Raiders and Sampson going No. 126 overall by the Cleveland Browns. Both Thornton and Sampson signed their rookie contract on Saturday.

Thornton’s deal is reportedly valued at $5.25 million over four years, including a $1,050,896 signing bonus, while Sampson got a four-year deal worth $5.1 million, with a $930,564 signing bonus. 

The Falcons, who took Georgia defensive end Jalon Walker at No. 15 overall with their first pick in the NFL Draft, traded a 2025 second-round pick, a 2025 seventh-round pick and a 2026 first-round pick to move up and get Pearce at No. 26, while also getting a 2025 third-round pick in the deal. 

James Pearce’s last two seasons: 17.5 sacks, 28 tackles for loss

Pearce had a breakout sophomore season at Tennessee in 2023, finishing with 10.0 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 28 sacks in 13 games. Last season he had 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 13 games, finishing strong after having just 0.5 tackles for loss and no sacks through the first three games of the season. 

Over the last two years, Pearce has combined for 17.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss, with 66 tackles and one interception returned for a touchdown. He played in 39 games in three seasons with the Vols, recording 19.5 sacks, 30 tackles for loss and 71 tackles. 

Pearce is Tennessee’s 48th first-round pick in program history. He was a five-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, ranked No. 11 overall in the On3 ratings. 

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