In a whirlwind 24-hour period, the Atlanta Falcons made moves to bolster their defense by adding two standout players, Pro Bowlers Matt Judon and Justin Simmons.
Despite the fact that neither Judon nor Simmons have suited up in their new Falcons jerseys just yet, star defensive tackle Grady Jarrett is already buzzing with excitement about the potential impact they will bring to the team as Atlanta aims to re-enter the NFC South conversation this upcoming season.
The first of the two acquisitions was Judon, who was brought over from the New England Patriots in a trade after contract discussions hit a snag in Foxborough. Despite suffering a season-ending bicep tear in 2023, Judon had racked up Pro Bowl honors for four consecutive seasons leading up to that and closed out the 2022 campaign with an impressive career-high 15.5 sacks.
Jarrett couldn’t contain his enthusiasm upon hearing the news of Judon joining the Falcons’ pass rush, but the addition of Simmons in the defensive backfield came as no surprise. Jarrett played a pivotal role in recruiting Simmons, even going as far as having dinner with the safety to help seal the deal on the signing.
In a lighthearted manner, Jarrett joked about potentially earning a commission for his efforts in the negotiations but was quick to emphasize the immense value Simmons brings to the team. With a knack for interceptions, leading the NFL with 30 since 2016, Simmons is expected to provide an immediate boost to the Falcons’ secondary, injecting a new level of energy and playmaking ability to the defensive unit.
