Star players in free agency are normally no longer a thing once the preseason begins. It is uncommon for a player with proven talent and experience to be sitting without a team by the time preseason kicks off.
Yet, former Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons is experiencing just that. The former All-Pro safety still has not found a new home in the NFL. With the preseason now underway, fans are speculating whether the star safety could make a return to Atlanta.
Justin Simmons Return Could Likely Happen This Preseason
Justin Simmons has publicly stated before that the door is not "necessarily closed" on a potential return to Atlanta. In Simmons' interview with Up & Adams, Simmons made it clear that he still had a love for the organization and the potential future the team held.
In his one-year deal with Atlanta, Simmons grabbed two interceptions and started all 16 games for the team. Simmons can put up even higher numbers potentially, as represented by his 16 interceptions in three seasons with the Broncos from 2020-2022. In that time, he was also named co-interception leader in the league in 2022 with six. If Simmons is at full potential, he can be an All-Pro defensive player that the Falcons could desperately use.
Now that the preseason is underway and the player still does not have a home, the Falcons could very well make a move to bring him back. Do not be surprised if Atlanta makes an offer extremely similar to the one Simmons accepted last year. A short, one-year deal to let Simmons prove his worth again.
Now with new rookies Billy Bowman and Xavier Watts in the locker room, Simmons could also pair with Jessie Bates as the mentors who bring the stardom out of these talented rookies. To fans and players alike, this seems like an absolute steal for the organization. With Simmons already expressing interest in coming back, it is only up to the front office to give him the offer. If they were to do so, watch out for this secondary in 2025.