Former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Geronimo Allison inks deal with Atlanta Falcons
Former Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions wide receiver Geronimo Allison has a new home. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Allison is headed to the NFC South, ready to catch passes from Marcus Mariota on the Atlanta Falcons.
“The #Falcons signed former #Packers and #Lions WR Geronimo Allison, who was recently in camp on a tryout basis,” tweeted Rapoport.
Moreover, Allison broke into the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois in 2016. He fought for a spot over four seasons with the Packers, and caught six touchdowns while playing a role for Green Bay. Then, Allison left the Packers, but stayed in the NFC North with the Lions.
After opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID concerns, the former Illinois wide receiver only played in three games for Detroit. Allison never registered a catch for the Lions, and didn’t receive another opportunity until the Falcons came calling.
Now, Geronimo Allison will be looking to make the most of his lifeline, as the Atlanta Falcons are desperate for receiving help.
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Moreover, Geronimo Allison is going from catching passes from the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Jared Goff to Marcus Mariota. The Falcons signed the former Oregon star on the same day they traded long-time quarterback Matt Ryan to the Colts. After shipping Ryan to Indianapolis, Atlanta announced the deal with Mariota just hours later.
“The Falcons agreed to terms on a two-year contract with Marcus Mariota, the team announced on Monday, bringing in a former No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick and someone with extensive experience as a starter,” wrote the franchise when the deal happened. “Mariota also enters this opportunity with deep knowledge of head coach Arthur Smith’s system. He worked with Smith in Tennessee, when he was Titans quarterback and Smith was a tight ends coach who became offensive coordinator in 2019.”
Moreover, the Falcons mentioned that Mariota has prior experience with Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith. While Smith helped revive Ryan Tannehill’s career in Tennessee, it was at Mariota’s expense. Still, it’s evident the duo remained close, as Mariota is being linked to his former offensive coordinator.
Since leaving Tennessee when Tannehill became the unquestioned future, Mariota has been the backup to Derek Carr in Oakland. In the meantime, he’s remained on the radar on NFL teams — the intangibles that made him an exciting prospect still there. Now, he’s getting his second chance at starting with the Atlanta Falcons.