Sidelined for the past two seasons, Kevin King is set to make an NFL return in 2024. The veteran cornerback signed with the Falcons on Monday, per a team announcement.
King had a five-year run with the Packers upon being drafted in 2017. He made a total of 51 appearances during that span, including 42 starts. The former second-rounder racked up seven interceptions with Green Bay, along with 30 pass breakups. Five of his picks and 15 of his PBUs came during the 2019 campaign.
After he was limited to 11 games in 2020 and 10 contests the following year, however, King elected to sit out the 2022 campaign while healing various nagging injuries. That decision appeared to set him up for a return to action last offseason, but an Achilles tear suffered in the spring left him out of action once again. Now, he will look to earn a roster spot in Atlanta this summer.
Atlanta has added veterans Antonio Hamilton and Tre Flowers on one-year deals this offseason. Those pacts are both low-cost investments, however, and fellow corner Mike Hughes is only on the books for one more season with just $750K of his scheduled $3.17M in compensation guaranteed. As a result, the Falcons are in the market for an addition capable of starting opposite A.J. Terrell.
The latter is set to play on his $12.34M fifth-year option in 2024. Terrell has been a full-time starter throughout his Falcons tenure, and he will be in line for a notable raise on his next contract. While he seeks to continue upping his value, Atlanta will evaluate King’s health on what will no doubt be a short-term flier. If he can remain on the field this season, though, King could prove to be a starting-caliber addition to the Falcons’ secondary.
More must-reads: