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BREAKING: Star Safety Chooses Division Rival Over Saints

The Falcons have a shiny new toy for their back end, as the Saints miss out on Justin Simmons.

John Hendrix

Oct 12, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons (31) warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports / Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
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Despite visiting the Saints and getting some top treatment recently, free agent safety Justin Simmons has picked the Atlanta Falcons. According to multiple reports, he joins them on a one-year deal worth up to $8 million, with $7.5 million guaranteed.

Justin Simmons interceptions a pass against the Raiders.
Jan 3, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons (31) celebrates his interception in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Dennis Allen said Simmons showed an interest in the Saints and said that the team is always looking for areas that they can improve the football team during a post-practice presser after the visit. The safety group was not an area where the team had to actively go out and find someone with, but no one has earned the spot opposite of Tyrann Mathieu.

Allen noted that was communication previously between Simmons and the Saints, and they been happening since the Spring after the draft in that timeframe. There was a little back and forth, but were not on the same page back then. Allen said that they were “Probably a little closer on both sides," last Wednesday.

Atlanta just traded with New England for Matthew Judon, and now they get exponentially better on defense with the addition of Simmons. There's a reason why their a clear betting favorite.

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John Hendrix

JOHN HENDRIX

I officially started covering the New Orleans Saints & other NFL topics in 2011. My work has been featured on various outlets over the years. I worked closely with Skyhorse Publishing in Fall 2018 to update the book, Tales From the New Orleans Saints Sidelines, which filled in all Saints material from the 2013-2017 seasons. Prior to joining Saints News Network, I served as the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Canal Street Chronicles for 3.5 years, and before that with FanSided's Who Dat Dish as the Managing Editor for several years. I have also had experiences of being a freelance Saints reporter for The Sun Herald in Biloxi, MS and a contributing writer for WDSU, a local NBC TV station in New Orleans. I have appeared on a vast amount of TV and Radio shows, both nationally and locally. For tips, comments, or suggestions, please contact me at johnhendrix@saintsnews.net

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