Cesar Tordesillas

Atlanta, GA

Steven Jackson reached a three-year agreement worth $12 million with the Atlanta Falcons.

He voided the final year of his contract with St. Louis, where he would have earned $7 million with the Rams in 2013, to join tight end Tony Gonzalez on a team focused on the Super Bowl.

The agreement also means that Jackson will put his retirement plans on hold. He had expressed a desire to leave the game in his prime rather than play too long.

In Jackson, the Falcons got a reliable veteran presence out of the backfield, whicmuch needed after releasing running back Michael Turner.

Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff noted that Jackson will bolster the Falcons' offensive firepower."

Considered the top free-agent running back, the 29-year-old Jackson had 1,042 yards rushing and four touchdowns with the Rams last season. It was his eighth straight season with more than 1,000 yards rushing.

A veteran of nine seasons, Jackson is the all-time leading rusher in Rams history with 10,135 yards, which is also the most for any active player. He set career highs with 1,528 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns with St. Louis in 2006.

Running Back Steven Jackson to Join Atlanta Falcons