There have been a lot of murmurs, but now it’s official. Four-time All-Pro safety Justin Simmons will be joining the Atlanta Falcons. The deal is for one-year, $8 million with $7.5 million guaranteed.
Falcons signing safety Justin Simmons to one-year, $8M deal with $7.5M guaranteed. (via @RapSheet + @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/33HP0yFSWh
— NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2024
The Falcons will have to add some cap space to make this move work, but that can happen relatively easily with another restructure or perhaps an A.J. Terrell extension, which would just be the icing on the cake of a wonderful week for Falcons fans.
The addition of Matthew Judon was enough to turn the head of the most pessimistic fan. He immediately gives the Falcons something they haven’t had in over a decade, a premier pass rusher that can wreck an opponent’s passing game at the line of scrimmage.
However, there were still questions regarding the Falcons secondary, particularly at safety. Justin Simmons answers those and then some. He’s been arguably the best safety in football over the last five years, making four All-Pro teams, including three in a row. He’ll be 31 this season, which is probably why he’s signing this late in the offseason, but even if he’s a shell of the player he once was, he’s still miles better than what the Falcons have in Richie Grant.
Atlanta’s secondary is now a much more formidable unit, featuring the best safety duo in the league. If they can find a second corner to play opposite of A.J. Terrell, whether that’s somebody currently on the roster or an external candidate, this could be one of the better defenses in the league, paired with an offense that looks explosive on paper.
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Photo: Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire
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