Defensive lineman Jonathan Babineaux has played in 182 NFL games, all with the Falcons, with no history of major injuries. He’s has made more than $35 million in salary over 12 seasons.
Babineaux’s contract is up after this season so he could walk away wealthy and healthy while looking back on a long career. But the way Babineaux sees it, he’s productive, feeling good and enjoying playing football, so he has no plans to retire.
There’s also another factor.
“I’m still chasing that ring,” Babineaux said.
Being a Falcons lifer means Babineaux has fallen short of the Super Bowl every season, with some major disappointments along the way. After two seasons in a row with no postseason berth, the Falcons (8-5) would return to the playoffs as NFC South champions if they win their final three games.
There’s a chance Babineaux could finish his Falcons tenure with one last playoff run. Either way, he said he still wants to play beyond this season.
“I feel good,” Babineaux said. “I don’t feel like I’m at a point where I want to retire or anything yet. My body feels great. I’m looking forward to the journey we are on right now, getting into the playoffs and seeing how far we can go.”
Babineaux, 35, still has a large role with the Falcons.
He’s played 38.6 percent of the defensive snaps this season, second to Grady Jarrett among interior linemen, while recording 19 tackles and one pass batted down. Babineaux makes $1.25 million in base salary this season as part of a contract that totals $9 million over three years.
Babineaux has been with the Falcons longer than any player on the roster. The team selected him in the first round of the draft out of Iowa in 2005, three years before general manager Thomas Dimitroff arrived. Shortly after the Falcons hired Dimitroff, he drafted Matt Ryan, the second-longest tenured Falcons player.
Babineaux’s position is demanding because it requires grappling with opponents on every play while fighting for leverage and positioning. Teams are always on the lookout for younger and quicker defensive linemen who can be disruptive against the run and pass.
Yet Babineaux has remained a Falcons mainstay even as his contemporaries go and younger players come.
“It’s basically having that will, that ‘want-to,’ that ‘have-to,”’to be successful,” Babineaux said. “I love playing the game. That’s the reason why I play it. I enjoy it. I love having fun with the brothers.”
Babineaux, Dwight Freeney (15th NFL season) and Tyson Jackson (eighth season) are the old pros among the defensive line group. The new crop includes pass rusher Vic Beasley and Grady Jarrett, who were selected in the 2015 draft.
Jarrett attributes Babineaux’s longevity to his work ethic and study habits. He said Babineaux is known for the meticulous notes he takes during defensive line meetings.
“Real definition of professional and somebody good to model your routine after,” Jarrett said.
Falcons coach Dan Quinn said Babineaux has been a good influence on the younger players and has found ways to remain productive as he’s gotten older.
“This is a guy who handles his business on the field, in the locker room, helping navigate and bring some guys along with him,” Quinn said. “From a physical side, (he has) the quickness. He’s not the biggest defensive tackle, but the use of his hands, technique-wise, he has very good football smarts. Often times when you play a long time, you’ve seen some schemes and you know what’s coming.”
Another big factor in Babineaux’s longevity is his durability. He’s played in all but seven games over his career and last sat out during Week 8 of the 2014 season
Babineaux said he’s still got more left in the tank, but isn’t thinking much about his future right now.
“All I can do is control what is going on right now, and right now I’m still an Atlanta Falcon and having fun,” he said. “I’m doing the best I can as far as my role on this team. I’m going to continue to do that and then, once the season is over with, I’m going to see where I’m at.”
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