The Atlanta Falcons have gathered for rookie minicamp and will be starting their offseason team activities later this month. But while the team is starting their initial preparations for the 2025 season, there are former Falcons that are still looking for a job.
The Falcons have several high-profile free agents from last year’s team still available on the open market. Matthew Judon proved to be a bust after a trade with the New England Patriots last summer but can still fill a role as a pass-rushing specialist. Cornerback Antonio Hamilton and edge rusher James Smith-Williams can provide depth to another team.
But in the case of one former Falcon, it’s surprising that he still can’t find a job in May.
Former Falcons Safety Justin Simmons Remains a Free Agent Ahead of OTAs
Justin Simmons signed with the Falcons last August and had a solid season in Atlanta. The two-time Pro Bowler recorded 62 total tackles with a pair of interceptions and seven pass defenses in 16 games with Atlanta last season. But with the firing of defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, Simmons has had to look elsewhere, with the Falcons turning to a youth movement led by veteran Jessie Bates III and third-round draft pick Xavier Watts.
Simmons can still play as he ranks 15th on The Athletic’s list of available free agents and 66th overall dating back to March. But there are a few reasons why the 31-year-old is still on the market.
The first was a decline in his performance. While Simmons’ traditional stats looked solid, his Pro Football Focus grades told a different story. He posted the lowest overall grade of his career at 59.9 last season, and his tackling mysteriously went AWOL, as he posted a career-high 19.8% missed tackle rate. Simmons also gave up five touchdowns in coverage last season and posted his lowest coverage grade (60.8) since 2018 (51.2).
While teams may have questions over whether he is actually declining, Simmons is also being selective in where he chooses to sign. Appearing on FanDuel TV’s “Up & Adams Show” last month, Simmons admitted he would like to sign sooner than the Aug. 18 date he had set a year ago and also admitted that there was “a lot of new” in Atlanta when he made his late arrival.
Getting into a training camp would help with that process, but Simmons also listed the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cincinnati Bengals as three teams he would like to join next season, perhaps pigeon-holing his options going forward.
Wherever Simmons ends up, it’s unlikely to end in a reunion with the Falcons. But the waiting game may continue until he finds the perfect situation.