Atlanta Falcons Release Former St. Louis Rams Running Back Steven Jackson

While it shouldn’t come as a surprise to those in Atlanta, the Falcons have released former St. Louis Rams running back, Steven Jackson in an effort to open up cap space. Jackson joins Reggie Bush, DeAngelo Williams, Chris Johnson, and Peyton Hillis as running back to be released in the last few weeks.

The Falcons will save approximately $3.75 million in cap space, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport. Jackson signed with Atlanta just two seasons ago in order to hopefully help the team make the jump into the Super Bowl, unfortunately, that wasn’t the case as the team had losing records in both seasons with the former Rams running back.

In his two seasons, Jackson had 543 and 707 yards rushing, both the lowest numbers in his career since his rookie season. Jackson had eight straight 1,000 yard seasons with the Rams. However, Jackson did put up six touchdowns in both years with the Falcons.

Like Jim Thomas said, this is sad to hear as Jackson is nearing the end of his career and has yet to have a winning season, only making the playoffs once in his rookie year. As one of the most respected players in the league, and one who puts in all the work off the field, its a shame he has been unable to put up a winning record and winning a playoff game is basically the only thing missing from his resume.

If Jackson is unable to find a home elsewhere, at 31 years of age, it wouldn’t be surprising if he signed a one-day contract with the Rams and retired.

Update: On SJ39.com, Jackson likes to write about his adventures on and off the build. This is also where he responded to his release thanking the Atlanta Falcons. As for his future, here’s what Jackson had to say:

“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.”

You tell them SJ!