Los Angeles Rams safety Jordan Fuller waits in the tunnel before the final game of their Super Bowl season in 2021
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Just a few days after he was cut, Super Bowl champion safety Jordan Fuller is returning to the Atlanta Falcons.
As final roster cuts came down on Tuesday, the Falcons raised eyebrows with several of their personnel decisions. But, the one that shocked people the most was their move to release Super Bowl champion safety Jordan Fuller. Now, just days later, an unfortunate injury update opened the door for him to return to their 53-man roster.
Falcons Re-Sign Super Bowl Champion Just Days After Releasing Him
The Falcons decided to keep a solid trio of safeties on their initial 53-man roster, retaining Jessie Bates III, Xavier Watts and DeMarcco Hellams. There’s no question that each of those three earned their spots, but it was definitely surprising to see that Fuller didn’t make the roster.
Earlier today, before the news broke that Fuller would be re-joining the Falcons on their 53-man roster, Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton questioned Atlanta’s decision to cut the Super Bowl champion safety.
Moton highlighted Fuller’s connection with head coach Raheem Morris, which stemmed from their time together with the Los Angeles Rams. Fuller started 16 games under then-defensive coordinator Raheem Morris during LA’s Super Bowl run in 2021.
Even though defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will be calling defensive plays, Morris will obviously have some influence as the head coach.
Moton pointed out that Fuller’s experience in the slot makes him “a valuable chess piece in the secondary.” He also argued that the Super Bowl champion would represent an upgrade over Dee Alford.
“In 2024, Alford allowed a 117.9 passer rating and eight touchdowns in coverage,” Moton wrote. “As a starting safety, Fuller struggled within the Carolina Panthers‘ historically poor defense, but he allowed a passer rating below 87 in his last two campaigns with the Rams between 2022 and 2023.”
Even after a down year, Fuller’s experience makes him a valuable piece of the roster, especially considering their youth at the position. Fuller and Bates should serve as excellent role models for rookie Xavier Watts.
Bralen Trice’s Injury Opened the Door for Fuller to Return
Unfortunately, Fuller’s return is accompanied by a move sending edge rusher Bralen Trice to injured reserve. It’s another tough break for Trice, as the 2024 third-round pick still has yet to take his first career snaps. Luckily for the Falcons, they were able to replace Trice with a Super Bowl champion.
Last August, Trice tore his ACL during Atlanta’s first preseason game, ending his rookie season before it even started. So, now, after yet another knee injury, the Falcons placed Trice on injured reserve with a designation to return.
“We got to figure out what that designation is as it goes,” Morris said, according to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi. “He’s out there working on that right now and getting some things done, so we’ll see what that is in the next couple of weeks, the next couple of days, whatever the case may be for him.”
Even if the second-year edge rusher is able to return this season, Super Bowl champion Jordan Fuller has taken his spot on the 53-man roster as of now. If the Falcons are serious about a deep playoff run this year, they’ll need to get more production from their secondary.
Last year, Atlanta surrendered the highest completion percentage (69.9%) and the second-most passing touchdowns (34) in the league. Obviously, their lackluster pass rush didn’t help, but the Falcons will need more support from their backend, and Fuller should provide it.