Ron Parker reportedly released by Atlanta Falcons
By Matt Conner
The Atlanta Falcons have reportedly released Ron Parker only months after signing the former Kansas City Chiefs safety to a contract in free agency.
The Atlanta Falcons have had a change of heart after getting an extended look at safety Ron Parker with perspective to the rest of their team. Months after signing him, the Falcons have reportedly decided to release Parker back in free agency just hours before final roster cuts are due.
It is possible that Parker could re-sign with the Falcons after the first week of the year in case the roster move was about needing space to place someone on an injured list or even if they wanted to make sure his contract was not guaranteed. However this also means other teams can now bring a veteran safety addition on board.
Parker has played for the Kansas City Chiefs for each of the last five NFL seasons. He joined the team as a waiver claim back in September of 2013, a roster cut from the Seattle Seahawks who ended up becoming a very valuable part of the Chiefs secondary.
Parker was always a versatile player who played inside at cornerback before settling at the back of the defense at free safety. Former general manager John Dorsey rewarded him with a five-year extension worth up to $25 million in 2015, but the Chiefs decided to part ways with Parker in an offseason purge of the secondary that included star Marcus Peters and a host of back-up cornerbacks.
Parker signed with the Falcons in June to the tune of a 1-year, $915K deal. After starting 64 of the last 65 regular season games for the Chiefs, Parker must now sit and wait for meaningful work on the eve of a new season.