After a couple of visits with other teams, former Tennessee Titans linebacker Rashaan Evans is on the move, reaching an agreement on a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons, per multiple reports.
Evans now will be reunited with Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, and defensive coordinator Dean Pees, who coached him in Tennessee.
The writing was on the wall for the 26-year-old when the Titans declined to pick up his fifth-year option prior to the 2021 season. Barring a miraculous season, Evans was likely to become a free agent at season’s end.
The Alabama product was limited to 12 games in 2021, accumulating 57 combined tackles, including three tackles for loss. He also took a backseat to Zach Cunningham after he was brought in via waivers.
Despite collecting two interceptions last year, Evans struggled in pass coverage across four seasons in Nashville. Most recently, he allowed a 76 percent completion rate and an 82.2 QB rating in 2021.
Drafted 22nd overall in the 2018 NFL draft, Evans joins several other first-round picks who didn’t stick in Tennessee after their rookie contract. He’ll look to carve out a role for himself in Atlanta under a familiar face in Pees.
Evans will be joined by long snapper Beau Brinkley, who also agreed to a one-year deal with the Falcons on Monday. The 32-year-old is expected to replace long-time snapper Josh Harris in Atlanta.
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2021, Brinkley spent nine seasons with the Titans. He earned Pro Bowl honors three times and was a two-time All-Pro with Tennessee.
His time in Nashville ended in November 2020 after he struggled with snaps following a stint on the COVID-19 list, and was later released.
In 2021, Brinkley spent time on the practice squads of the Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers, but only saw the field with Arizona, where he played in three games before being released.
The Chicago Bears added him to their practice squad in February, but he was released in mid-March.
Not only are Brinkley and Evans reuniting with a pair of former Titans coaches, but also former teammate, Marcus Mariota, who signed a two-year deal with Atlanta last month.
