Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – In a stunning move that has set the NFL abuzz, the Pittsburgh Steelers have reached a verbal agreement with Justin Simmons, the two-time Pro Bowl and four-time All-Pro safety, just seven hours after his release from the Atlanta Falcons on the afternoon of October , 2025. Multiple sources close to the team confirmed the rapid deal, signaling a major upgrade for the Steelers’ secondary as they aim to solidify their position atop the AFC North following a tough 33-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football.
Simmons, 31, signed a one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Falcons in the 2024 offseason after a storied eight-year tenure with the Denver Broncos. During the 2024 season, he played all 16 games, amassing 62 tackles, 7 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions, despite Atlanta’s defense ranking 23rd in total yards allowed. The Falcons, under new head coach Raheem Morris, opted to part ways with Simmons to focus on younger talent in their rebuilding secondary, making him a free agent by mid-afternoon today.
The Steelers, holding a 4-2 record and clinging to first place in the AFC North, wasted no time. Within hours of the release, Pittsburgh secured a preliminary one-year deal with Simmons, reportedly valued at $6-8 million with incentives, addressing a critical need at safety alongside DeShon Elliott. Simmons, known for his league-leading 32 career interceptions among active safeties, had previously praised the Steelers’ defensive culture on The Pat McAfee Show in May 2025, saying, “Playing in Pittsburgh’s system with guys like T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward would be a dream come true.”
This acquisition comes on the heels of Pittsburgh’s defensive struggles in their recent loss, where Aaron Rodgers exploited the secondary for 312 yards and two touchdowns. With Simmons’ veteran presence, the Steelers aim to shore up their pass defense, which ranks 12th in the league but has shown vulnerabilities in clutch moments. Social media exploded with excitement, as #SimmonsToSteelCity trended nationwide, fueled by fans waving virtual Terrible Towels.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris addressed the release, stating, “Justin’s a class act and a phenomenal player. This was about our long-term vision, but he’ll thrive wherever he lands.” For Pittsburgh, landing Simmons is a statement of intent as they chase a deep playoff run in 2025.
The deal awaits formalization, but Steelers Nation is already buzzing about Simmons patrolling the secondary. With the AFC North race heating up, this move could be the key to Pittsburgh’s pursuit of a seventh Super Bowl title.
4:03 AM in Baltimore — The Lesson Teddye Buchanan Didn’t Expect to Learn
Owings Mills, Maryland –
It’s quiet. Too quiet for a city built on noise and heartbeat. The practice field at the Ravens’ training complex still sits under a blanket of mist, lights dimmed, doors locked. It’s
bye week — a rare pause in the relentless rhythm of football life.
But Teddye Buchanan, the rookie linebacker from Alabama, can’t sleep. Not after watching the veterans fight through injuries, not after seeing the way the Ravens carry pain like a badge of honor.
He tells himself, “If I can show up first, maybe I’ll prove I belong.”
So he drives to the facility before dawn. 4:03 AM.
The parking lot is empty — or so he thinks.
Inside, faint light spills from the weight room.
He hears the sound first: the controlled exhale of a man pushing through pain. The steady rhythm of metal and breath.
Then he sees him.
Roquan Smith. Alone. Focused. Silent.
The defensive captain, still recovering from his shoulder injury, lifting with one arm and running stability drills with the other. Sweat soaking through tape. Grit written all over him.
Buchanan stops in the doorway, watching in disbelief. He thought this was his moment to impress — but what he sees instead is a lesson that no coach could ever teach.
Roquan doesn’t speak. He doesn’t even look up.
But in that silence, the rookie understands everything.
This is what “Play Like a Raven” means.
You don’t wait until you’re healthy to work. You work so you
can be healthy again.
Buchanan sets down his bag, ties his shoes tighter, and starts running drills on the other side of the field. No cameras. No applause. Just the echo of two heartbeats chasing the same fire.
When the sun finally rises over Baltimore, the sky turns purple and gold — colors of fight, of resilience, of quiet pride.
Roquan wipes his face, nods once, and leaves the field. Buchanan stays a few minutes longer, breathing heavy, heart full.
He doesn’t say it out loud, but he knows:
He didn’t come here to replace anyone. He came to learn what greatness looks like when no one’s watching.
And in that dark Baltimore morning, under the lights of Owings Mills, a rookie learned the same truth veterans have carried for years:
The Ravens don’t just rise — they rise again.
