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The early focus for James Pearce with the Atlanta Falcons: 'Real clear-cut role definition'

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey06/12/25GrantRamey
James Pearce, Tennessee Football | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(Dale Zanine-Imagn Images) Jun 11, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. (27) quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) and cornerback Lamar Jackson (38) warm up during Minicamp at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground.

The early focus for James Pearce as he starts his career with the Atlanta Falcons is defining his role, according to head coach Raheem Morris. ESPN reported on Thursday that Morris described the first two days of Falcons minicamp as focusing on developmental players in team drills, including Pearce and nickel Billy Bowman Jr.

Atlanta traded back into the first round of the NFL Draft in April to take Pearce at No. 26 overall, after selecting Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker at No. 15. Bowman, the former Oklahoma safety, was a fourth-round pick at No. 118 overall. 

“They’re really good players, they’re really sharp, they’re really detailed,” Morris said, according to ESPN. “We’ll get to the whole categories of who’s starting and who’s doing these things, but I think the most important thing is how are they contributing, what their role is going to be and having real clear-cut role definition for those guys and letting them go out there and earn it.” 

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 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 will almost surely be part of a rotation on the edge with new signee Leonard Floyd, Arnold Ebiketie and Bralen Trice, the Falcons’ third-round pick in 2024, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL,” ESPN reported in April. “His presence will also allow Walker to play off the ball and be a threat in the blitz.

“Atlanta did not re-sign edge rushers Matthew Judon and Lorenzo Carter, so Pearce will almost certainly see a lot of snaps as a rookie.”

James Pearce signed rookie contract in May

Pearce signed his rookie contract with the Falcons on May 12. It’s a four-year deal worth $16.7 million, including an $8.8 million signing bonus, according to Spotrac.

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. 

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, with Thornton at No. 108 to the Las Vegas Raiders and Sampson going No. 126 overall by the Cleveland Browns.

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