Over the course of a 24-hour period, the Atlanta Falcons added significant talent to their defense in the form of a pair of Pro Bowlers, Matt Judon and Justin Simmons.
And even though neither has played a down in their new jerseys, Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett is already hyped about the potential value his new teammates add to the defense as Atlanta looks to get back in the NFC South conversation this season.
Judon was the first of the two additions, acquired from the Patriots in a trade after potential contract talks broke down in New England. Though his 2023 season was cut short due to a bicep tear, he had earned Pro Bowl honors the previous four seasons and finished 2022 with a career-high 15.5 sacks.
“He just a talent, an all-around great dude. … He just a dog player,” Jarrett said on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football on Friday. “He’s a guy who just can’t be stopped when he rolling. He had one of his best seasons just before his injury last year. I’m super excited to have him added to the squad. I can’t wait to pass rush with him.”
While Jarrett was excited to learn of the addition of Judon to the pass rush, the addition of Simmons in the secondary was not a surprise. Jarrett apparently had a hand in the recruitment of the safety, participating in a dinner with Simmons that Jarrett claims might have sealed the deal on the signing.
While he joked that his role in the negotiations should get him a commission, Jarrett was emphatic that the return on the deal would be well-worth the extra effort, with Simmons’ propensity for interceptions -- an NFL-best 30 since 2016 -- expected to immediately add juice in the secondary.
“I’m not getting 10 percent, I’m getting much more," Jarrett said. "I’m getting a guy added to the room that’s a dynamic player, been an All-Pro in this league, and he’s just gonna make this team so much better, gonna make that back end so much better with the guys we already have here.
“... Did what I had to do, but it was a team effort. I think he really enjoyed the culture that we’re building here in Atlanta more than anything. And also, with the team we have now with the pieces that we have coming in, we’re ready to go compete.”
The Falcons still have two preseason games left, including Saturday at noon ET versus the Ravens. We’ll have to wait and see whether these two new additions get the chance to take the field for a preseason preview before the 2024 season officially starts in three weeks.