Justin Simmons Jan 8, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) prior to a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
ArticlesFeaturedNFLBy Chris Novak on

The Atlanta Falcons made a splash just a few weeks before the 2024 regular season kicks off. Atlanta signed former Pro Bowl defensive back Justin Simmons just a few days after hosting him on a visit.

It’s safe to say Simmons bought whatever the Falcons sold him.

ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the terms of the deal, which were for one year and $8 million.

Simmons played his entire NFL career with the Denver Broncos. The Broncos drafted Simmons in the third round with pick 98 in the 2016 NFL Draft. Since then, Simmons succeeded and became one of the best defensive backs in the league. He earned two trips to the Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2023. He also earned four All-Pro Second Team nominations in 2019, and in 2021 all through 2023. Simmons led the NFL in interceptions in the 2022 season.

He has 604 career tackles, 4.5 sacks, 30 interceptions, and 64 passes defended. He’ll be a solid addition to a Falcons secondary that already boasts Pro Bowler Jessie Bates III. So Simmmons’ addition will make the Falcons’ back end more imposing.

People were interested in these podcasts
Discover more podcasts →
Play Episode
64min
The Play-By-Play
Stephen A. Smith’s new ESPN contract, TGL talk, what replaces 'Around the Horn?'
Stephen A. Smith and ESPN finally have a deal and the TGL is entering the playoffs in their first season. Awful Announcing's Brandon Contes and Drew Lerner join Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen to discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:01: Stephen A. Smith’s new ESPN contract with Brandon Contes-32:23 TGL entering playoffs with Drew Lerner-50:33: What should replace “Around the Horn?”-58:33 Giving up X posting for Lent updateYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
ESPN fires RG3 and Sam Ponder, Ariel Helwani partners with Yahoo, Mina Kimes vs. Clay Travis
On the first episode of The Play-By-Play, Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss ESPN firing Robert Griffin III and Sam Ponder, Ariel Helwani announcing that he's partnering with Yahoo Sports and the social media feud between ESPN's Mina Kimes and Clay Travis.Time Stamps:-:06: Welcome to The Play-By-Play!-3:03: Podcasting-18:49: Ariel Helwani partners with Yahoo Sports-33:51: Mina Kimes vs. Clay Travis-47:00: WWE superstar Sheamus is College GameDay's first celebrity guest picker of the season.-50:49: Stephen A. Smith interviews Tom Brady at Fanatics FestYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Stephen A. Smith getting PAID, ESPN's CFP selection show debacle
Stephen A. Smith reportedly signs a five-year, $100 million extension with ESPN. Kirk Herbstreit appeared miserable on ESPN's College Football Playoff selection show. Netflix announces their NFL studio and booth lineup. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:54: Stephen A. Smith’s new contract with ESPN-19:20: ESPN’s College Football Playoff selection show-35:40: Netflix NFL crews announced-48:58: Juan Soto to the New York Mets-54:48: Timothée Chalamet on “College GameDay”You can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Stephen A. vs. LeBron, CBS makes big changes, Peter Schrager to ESPN
Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James going at it. Gary Danielson announces his retirement, resulting in CBS to make moves in their college football and NFL broadcasts. Peter Schrager leaves NFL Network for ESPN. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen, along with AA head Ben Koo, discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:47: Stephen A. Smith vs. LeBron James-21:54: Gary Danielson retiring, Charles Davis replacing Danielson, JJ Watt replacing Davis at CBS-43:13: ESPN hires Peter Schrager-58:23: Zach Lowe joins The Ringer-59:56: RIP NFL Chain Gang-1:02:44: Dave Portnoy being the most influential person in the intersection of sports and politicsYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Falcons hope to compete to win the NFC South this year and likely will be challenged by reigning division champion Tampa Bay for the top of the division.

[Adam Schefter]

About Chris Novak

Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022

View all posts by Chris Novak