NFL: Martin County grad Justin Simmons signs one-year deal with Atlanta Falcons

Many wondered why one of the best safeties in the NFL over the past decade was unsigned just weeks prior to the season.

But months following his release from the only professional team that he’s played for, Justin Simmons finally has a home.

The former Martin County High School star and Stuart native signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday. As first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal is worth $8 million, 7.5 of which is guaranteed.

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Simmons visited with the New Orleans Saints last week, but ultimately chose their NFC South rival. He met with the Falcons on Wednesday.

The four-time All-Pro joins a revamped defense under new head coach Raheem Morris and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake. Less than 24 hours prior to the Simmons signing, the Falcons added another impact player by trading for New England Pro Bowl edge rusher Matthew Judon .

Spending all eight of his previous seasons with the Denver Broncos , Simmons was let go by the franchise in March as a cap casualty. The safety signed a four-year contract valued at $61 million with Denver in 2021 and was set to count $18.25 million against the salary cap in his final season of his deal.

Simmons was selected 98th overall by the Broncos in the 2016 NFL Draft. Since then, he has piled up 30 interceptions, more than any other player during that time frame. In addition to his four All-Pro Second-Team selections (20219, 2021-23), Simmons has been named to the Pro Bowl on two occasions (2020, 2023).

Last season, Simmons, who turns 31 in November, finished with 70 total tackles (53 solo) with three interceptions, eight passes defended, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a sack. He ranked as the 57th-best player in the NFL according to its Top 100 Players list unveiled this summer and voted on the league’s players themselves.

Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: NFL: Martin County grad Justin Simmons signs one-year deal with Atlanta Falcons