Atlanta Falcons Sign All-Pro Safety Justin Simmons, Building Elite Secondary Duo with Jessie Bates III

The Atlanta Falcons have recently made waves by signing former All-Pro safety Justin Simmons, shortly after trading for pass rusher Matt Judon. The move comes after Simmons was waived by the Broncos as part of a cost-cutting measure that saved the organization $14.5 million. The 30-year-old safety, who had spent eight seasons with the Broncos, was a third-round draft pick from Boston College in the 2016 NFL Draft.

A Stellar Career

During his time with the Broncos, Simmons established himself as one of the top safeties in the league. He received Second Team All-Pro honors four times and was selected as a Pro Bowler twice. Furthermore, he was a co-leader for interceptions in 2022, recording six interceptions. Despite facing some injuries over the past few years, Simmons greatly impacted the field, tallying 70 tackles, eight pass breakups, a sack, and three interceptions in the 15 games he played in 2023.

Despite his impressive track record, his recent injury history may have contributed to his prolonged free agency. He was limited to 12 games in 2022 due to a quad injury that required him to spend time on injured reserve in mid-September. Last year, he missed two games. Nevertheless, when healthy, Simmons is expected to be a strong addition to any NFL secondary.

Addressing Injuries and Building a Strong Duo

The Falcons are currently dealing with injuries at the safety position, with second-year safety DeMarcco Hellams being carted off the field during Atlanta's first preseason game. Pairing Simmons with fellow All-Pro Jessie Bates III would create one of the top safety duos in the NFL, proving to be a significant boost for the Falcons' defensive lineup.

The acquisition of Justin Simmons marks a significant move for the Atlanta Falcons, adding a highly accomplished and skilled safety to their roster. With the potential to form a formidable safety duo alongside Jessie Bates III, the Falcons are undoubtedly raising their defensive game to new heights.