FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — For the second straight day, the Atlanta Falcons made a big splash and showed how serious they are about contending in 2024.
The Falcons signed free agent safety Justin Simmons, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, to a one-year, $8 million contract on Thursday, Athletes First, which represents Simmons, announced. Simmons will join fellow Pro Bowl selection Jessie Bates III to form one of the best safety combinations in the NFL.
On Wednesday, Atlanta traded a third-round pick to the New England Patriots for defensive back Matthew Judon, filling a long-standing need. Simmons fills a need, too. The Falcons lost safety DeMarcco Hellams, who was a starter last season, for a “significant amount” of time due to an ankle injury, coach Raheem Morris said earlier this week. After Bates and cornerback AJ Terrell, Atlanta’s secondary had been plagued with questions.
Simmons, 30, played his first eight seasons in the league with the Denver Broncos, who released him in March as part of a salary-cap-related move. He had nine interceptions over the past two seasons and was considered the best remaining safety on the free-agent roster. Simmons is a four-time second-team All-Pro selection. He visited the Falcons earlier this week and the New Orleans Saints previously.
Since entering the league in 2016, Simmons' 30 interceptions are more than any other player.
The Falcons are restructuring offensive guard Chris Lindstrom's contract to make room for the new acquisitions, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported. Atlanta will convert part of Lindstrom's $12.5 million 2024 base salary into a signing bonus. Judon is set to make $6.5 million this season, according to the Roster Management System.
During the offseason, the Falcons bolstered their offense, led by quarterback Kirk Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract. Now, Atlanta and general manager Terry Fontenot have addressed a defense that came into training camp with question marks with two major acquisitions in two days.
“Come join us and ride the wave,” Bates said Thursday before Simmons signed any potential Falcons players. “We've got a lot of good things going on here in Atlanta.”
