The Atlanta Falcons have had plenty of decisions to make this offseason, but a big priority has been fixing their defense. The Falcons ranked 23rd in scoring and total defense in their first season under Raheem Morris and the result has been an overhaul that was headlined by the release of longtime defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
The Falcons strategy at the NFL Scouting Combine also hinted that there will be plenty of new faces on the defensive side of the ball next season. Atlanta took another step in that process when they signed a former Super Bowl champion with major starting experience to fill a big role on Wednesday morning.
Falcons Sign Former Super Bowl Champion Safety Jordan Fuller
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Falcons have agreed to a deal with safety Jordan Fuller. The 27-year-old was a sixth-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2020 draft and won a Super Bowl with the team in 2021, logging 113 combined tackles with a tackle for loss, four pass deflections and an interception in 2021.
Fuller was limited to three games while dealing with a hamstring injury in 2022 but rebounded to have a strong final season with the Rams in 2023, notching 94 tackles with a tackle for loss, eight pass defenses, three forced fumbles and three interceptions. He signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers to reunite with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, but it didn’t go well, making 54 total tackles, with a pass defense and a forced fumble while battling another hamstring issue.
Safety was a big need for the Falcons this offseason. Jessie Bates is set to return after a strong first season in Atlanta, logging 102 total tackles, two tackles for loss, 10 pass defenses, four interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a sack last season. But the Falcons didn’t have a suitable partner as Justin Simmons put up the lowest Pro Football Focus grade of his career at 59.9.
Fuller wasn’t that much better for the Panthers, putting up career-low PFF grades in coverage (47.0) and overall (53.8). But he was on a historically bad defense that allowed an NFL-record 534 points last season. There’s also a connection with Morris, who worked with Fuller in his three seasons as the Rams’ defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2023.
It makes Fuller the third new defensive starter acquired in free agency along with defensive end Morgan Fox and edge rusher Leonard Floyd. If Fuller can return to his form under Morris, the Falcons may have a key piece to turn around their defense next season.