Flory Branch, Georgia. The Atlanta Falcons have created quite a stir for the second day in a row, demonstrating their seriousness about competing in 2024. have created quite a stir
Athletes First, Simmons’ agent, revealed on Thursday that the Falcons have signed free agency safety Justin Simmons, a two-time Pro Bowl pick, to a one-year, $8 million contract. Together with Jessie Bates III, another Pro Bowl pick, he will make up one of the NFL’s top safety tandems.
Pass rusher Matthew Judon was acquired by Atlanta on Wednesday in exchange for a third-round pick from the New England Patriots, satisfying a long-standing need. Simmons also fills one. Coach Raheem Morris announced earlier this week that safety DeMarcco Hellams, who began last season, will be out for a “significant amount” of time due to an ankle injury. Following Bates and cornerback A.J. Terrell, there were many unanswered questions regarding Atlanta’s secondary.
Simmons, 30, played his first eight seasons in the NFL with the Denver Broncos, who dismissed him in March in a salary cap maneuver. Over the previous two seasons, he had nine interceptions and was regarded as the best available safety on the free agent wire. Four times, Simmons was chosen for the second team All-Pro. He has previously visited with the New Orleans Saints and the Falcons this week.
Simmons has more interceptions (30) than any other player since he joined the league in 2016.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Falcons are renegotiating offensive guard Chris Lindstrom’s deal to make place for the new additions. A portion of Lindstrom’s $12.5 million base salary for 2024 will be converted by Atlanta into a signing bonus. According to the Roster Management System, Judon is expected to earn $6.5 million this season.
Before Simmons signed, Bates invited any prospective Falcons to “come join and get on the wave.” “We’ve got a lot of good stuff going here in Atlanta.”
