The Atlanta Falcons are going all-in to revamp their defense with big names.
A day after trading for New England Patriots pass rusher Matthew Judon, Atlanta made a big splash in free agency by signing veteran safety Justin Simmons. ESPN and NFL Network reported the news. Simmons later confirmed it by changing his social media profile picture to one of himself in a Falcons uniform.
Simmons was one of the top free agents still on the market and adds a prominent name to the back end of Atlanta’s defense at a relatively low cost. ESPN reports the 30-year-old safety signed a one-year deal worth $8 million.
Simmons, a third-round pick out of Boston College, spent his first eight seasons with the Denver Broncos. He’s made two Pro Bowls and four All-Pro second teams.
During his time in Denver, Simmons developed a reputation as a ball hawk. The veteran safety has 30 interceptions since 2016, the most in the NFL. Now in Atlanta, Simmons will form a formidable safety tandem alongside Jessie Bates III.
In their first season under new head coach Raheem Morris, the Falcons have made gone into win-now mode. Atlanta made waves early on with their acquisition of quarterback Kirk Cousins.
The team ramped things up with the trade for Judon, giving up a third-round pick to land the Patriots’ top pass rusher.
