Falcons Sign DE And Atlanta Native Bruce Irvin To Bolster Pass Rush

The struggling pass rush of the Atlanta Falcons (4-4) snagged a new weapon on Wednesday, adding former Oakland Raiders defensive end Bruce Irvin, who signed a one-year deal for $3.8 million.

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The move comes just a few days after the Raiders cut Irving, 31. He shared his elation with Twitter after inking the new deal with the Falcons. “Man it’s time!” tweeted Irving, a native of Atlanta. “You can’t put a price on the chance for me to play for my people and city! It’s bigger than money!”

Head coach Dan Quinn is eager to incorporate Irvin into the scheme, as he was Irvin’s defensive coordinator for the Seahawks during his tenure in Seattle from 2012 to 2015. He welcomed his former player back in his hometown on the East Coast with words of encouragement and praise. “It’s pretty rare you get to play in your home city,” Quinn said. “He recognized that might be a special moment for him and he really is challenged.”

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Irvin’s 40 career sacks and 15 forced fumbles should help bolster a Falcons defense that has lost several crucial pieces over the course of the season, including safeties Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal. Irvin has forced 11 fumbles since 2016, the most in the NFL in that span.

The Falcons play the Browns Sunday, and Irvin is expected to make his debut with the team after practicing on Thursday.