FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — A full-circle moment between safeties Justin Simmons and Jessie Bates III played a hand in the former joining the Atlanta Falcons.
Back in February, Simmons sought out Bates for a moment alone to chat while in Orlando, Florida, for the Pro Bowl. Bates and the Falcons had recently finished the 2023 season with their third consecutive 7-9 record. They had also fired Arthur Smith and hired Raheem Morris as their head coach.
"I know it was a tough season in Atlanta from a team perspective, so (I was) just talking to him and finding things out," Simmons said. "He's like, 'I just hope we get this thing right moving forward.'"
Well, fast forward to this past Monday, Simmons and five Falcons members – Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot, along with Bates, cornerback A.J. Terrell and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett – had dinner at Chops in Atlanta. The Falcons were trying to convince Simmons, a highly touted free agent, to sign with them. That provided the perfect opportunity for Simmons to follow up with Bates on the topic they first broached nearly six months ago.
"It's crazy because then I asked him that later on at that dinner when it was just me and him, like, 'Yo, I don't know if you remember what we talked about, but what do you think?'" Simmons said. "He's like, 'Nah, this is right.' And he left it at that."
It was enough.
Simmons' signing was first reported last Thursday and became official last Sunday. His deal is reportedly for one year and worth $8 million with $7.5 million fully guaranteed.
A big reason Simmons ultimately chose the Falcons is because of his two conversations with Bates. In between those two conversations, a lot happened. Atlanta's coaching staff was completed, including the hires of offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake. The Falcons signed four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins and made other moves to bolster the roster. Morris quickly won the support of coaches and players, cementing a new culture in Atlanta.
How the Falcons handled the aftermath of their third consecutive 7-9 season resonated with Simmons. It's surely what he would have wanted had he remained with the Denver Broncos, who had only one winning season during his tenure. The Broncos released Simmons this past March.
"I'm not going to talk about it much because that stuff's in the past and I'm moving forward," Simmons said. "But I was in Denver for eight seasons. In those eight seasons, five head coaches, six if you include an interim head coach. So, a lot of turnover, a lot of heartbreak, a lot of potential in some seasons.
"When I was there with those guys (in Atlanta at dinner), I could see the appreciation for what's in front of them with what can be and how hungry they are to chase after that. That was one of my top priorities. I don't want to go to a spot where they just know they're going to walk into the playoffs or they know they have a good team and just going to make things happens."
Simmons wants to earn it. He wants to turn potential into success, finally.
The Falcons haven't seen the postseason since 2017. Reaching the playoffs in 2024, though, has been discussed as an expectation rather than a hope around the building. That vibe is contagious, and it was a selling point for Simmons.
"I really want to get there," Simmons said. "I don't know what it looks like. I don't know what it feels like. That was the No. 1 thing on my visits and talking to different teams. Man, I just want to go where obviously I'm valued and wanted but (also) where the team has that same hunger. And a bunch of guys here feel that way."
