The Atlanta Falcons have released veteran running back Steven Jackson, the team announced on Thursday. Jackson has been one of the most effective running backs in the NFL for about a decade, but the 31-year-old has slowed considerably in his two seasons with the Falcons.
Falcons release Steven Jackson
The 11-year veteran running back was released on Thursday.
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
When new Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan neglected to say whether Jackson would be back in 2015, it was pretty clear that his chances of returning were slim. He was set to make $3.75 million in 2015 and the Falcons will save that same amount against the cap.
Jackson put up eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with the St. Louis Rams between 2005 and 2012, including 1,045 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and four touchdowns in 2012. That was his final year with the team that drafted him all the way back in 2004. But it wasn't just injuries that limited Jackson with the Falcons. He also struggled when he was actually on the field, posting per carry averages of 3.5 and 3.7 yards in 2013 and 2014. In all, he ran for 1,250 yards and 12 touchdowns in two seasons with the Falcons.
It's unclear if Jackson is considering retirement or if he'll see if he can catch on with a team in 2015. There's no shortage of teams looking for a starting running back, but there's also no shortage of big-name backs on the open market. Even in the aging veteran space, there are better options, such as San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore. On top of that, this NFL Draft class is strongest at running back. It could be tough for Jackson to find a team in 2015.
Atlanta drafted Devonta Freeman in 2014, but doesn’t have much at the position and will likely be looking for more running back help, either on the free agent market or the NFL Draft.
UPDATE 9:45 p.m. ET: Jackson addressed his future in a post on his personal website:
A lot has been written lately about my future. There are questions about my age, and what I have left in the tank. Of that, I will simply say this. For the first nine years of my career, I was used like a battering ram, punishing opposing defense over four quarters of a game. Maybe you stopped me the first five times I got the ball, but by the 15th or 20th time I got it, late in a game -- let’s just say you were really feeling me at that point.
Make no mistake: I can still punish a defense. I still have a warrior’s heart. There are 1,000-yard seasons left in these legs. I know what I am still capable of, and I have every intention of proving it.
In the post, he also thanked the Falcons, owner Arthur Blank and the city of Atlanta for the way he was treated during his two seasons with the team.
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