Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Justin Simmons and the Denver Broncos are closing in on an extension.
It sure sounds like safety Justin Simmons will be with the Denver Broncos for a long time.
Per Kevin Patra of Around the NFL, “The Denver Broncos haven’t given up hope of locking down safety Justin Simmons to a multi-year deal before the Wednesday deadline. NFL Network’s James Palmer reported Monday that while Simmons agreed to sign his tag, both sides are continuing to talk to see if they can get a long-term deal done, per a source informed of the situation.”
Patra followed that up with how Broncos general manager John Elway has always come up with a long-term extension for any Denver player initially slapped with the tag. Denver reportedly uses the tag as a temporary placeholder to give them some flexibility to put a long-term offer together for the quality player who was previously underpaid.
Justin Simmons is about to be paid handsomely by the Denver Broncos.
Simmons was a former third-round pick out of Boston College by the Broncos in the 2016 NFL Draft. Though he hasn’t made it to the Pro Bowl yet, he was named Second-Team All-Pro in his fourth season with the team.
Simmons’ rise in the Denver secondary has afford the Broncos to part ways with the core of the No Fly Zone in recent seasons. They love what he’s done for them.
With head coach Vic Fangio entering his second-year on the job, it is imperative that his defense is as good as it can be. This is the side of the ball he specializes on, so there can’t be any major issues defensively.
Denver’s primary focus on getting better this season has to be on the offensive side of the ball with second-year pro quarterback Drew Lock and his development as a player.
Simmons has proven to be quite the ball hawk in Denver, as four of his 11 career interceptions came in his breakout season of 2019. With pass-rushers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb dominating in the front-seven, it makes things easier for Simmons to thrive at what he does best in the Denver secondary. Look for him to sign a long-term extension here in the next 24 hours.
By locking up Simmons, the Broncos don’t have to worry about the safety position going forward.