CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It's been nearly three years since Atlanta Falcons cornerback AJ Terrell last selected a quarterback. When his fingertips touched an “overdue” interception, he had no choice but to take a victory lap.

After his momentum sent him out of bounds, Terrell ran down the Carolina Panthers sideline before his teammates mobbed him on the other side. They also knew this was a long time coming for Terrell.

“All the guys come to work with me every day. You know how important this game was to me and the entire organization,” Terrell said after Sunday’s 38-20 win over the Panthers. “I’m just trying to get that energy, I’m just trying to finish the game.”

Terrell's interception was not only special because it was his first since January 2, 2022, but it also gave the Falcons a much-needed stop in the fourth quarter of what was then a closely contested game. The fifth-year cornerback gave the Panthers a scoring opportunity as they trailed 28-20 deep in Atlanta territory with 10:53 to play. Previously, it was a back and forth between quarterbacks Kirk Cousins ​​​​and Andy Dalton.

Following Terrell's choice, the Panthers would not score again and the Falcons would extend their lead by ten more points to secure the victory and remain atop the NFC South.

“Plays like that will take him from a very good cornerback in this league to an elite player,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. “We feel like we are one of the elite and that is why we are lucky to have him on our football team. We are lucky to be able to sign him. We are lucky to be able to keep him. We are fortunate to be able to turn him around and give him a new deal.

The Falcons signed the Atlanta native to a four-year, $81 million contract extension, knowing Terrell's value goes beyond stats.

“AJ does everything right,” safety Jessie Bates III said. “…He hasn't had many picks, but the first one is just nice to get rid of him and get rid of his conscience and now he's able to play freely. If something like that happens, AJ gets a pick, Clark (Phillips III) gets a pick, and then I get a pick, and everyone in our room is happy.