Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are coming off their best season since 2015, and the offseason has proved that the Broncos are a Super Bowl contending team, yet again.
With one of the best defenses in the NFL, the Broncos have been quiet when it comes to adding those pieces this offseason. However, ex-Bronco and four-time all-pro safety Justin Simmons, is still on the market and looking for a chance at a Super Bowl run.
Simmons played one season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 after eight years with the Broncos. He remained a free agent all of 2025.
Justin Simmons
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Justin Simmons’ Picky Free Agency Lead Him to a Year Off Football
After eight seasons with the Denver Broncos, Justin Simmons was released in March 2024, before signing with the Atlanta Falcons. Releasing Simmons opened up $14.5 million in cap space.
His time with the Atlanta Falcons started hot with a 6-3 start, but quickly teetered off finishing the season with a record of 8-9. The Broncos, however, finished 10-7 with their first playoff berth since 2015.
After a rocky season in Atlanta, Simmons was ready to join an organization who was ready to win. “[I]n terms of where I’m at now, (I’m) being a little bit more picky where we want to go and where we want to call home next … the next two years, a year, whatever it is … but a contender is No. 1 on the list right now,” Simmons told the Denver Post last year.
“My time in Atlanta was great, I loved it,” Simmons said in a Guerilla Sports podcast, ‘The Weekly Cut’. “Our season went from 6-3 to just downhill. And it was hard, you know.”
“It felt like other years when I was here in Denver. There were other seasons where we started great and then just didn’t finish as well,” Simmons said. “It just felt like in a lot of ways, it was Denver all over again.”
Despite Denver severing ties with Simmons, the all-pro safety has no bitterness toward the organization. “I mean, I can’t speak for Sean,” the former Broncos safety said, via the Denver Post. “I have no bad blood with Sean, with anyone in the building. I loved my time there. I will always consider him a friend and a great coach.
“I loved Sean. I love the Walton-Penner (ownership) group and what they have going on. Business decisions happen. And sometimes there are casualties, where both player and fans wish there wasn’t and (there) just is. And both sides could be better from it — and you see they had a successful year. And I’m so happy for them.”
Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos
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Does Simmons’ Return Make Sense For Denver?
The Broncos defense is absolutely loaded. Their secondary is made up top tier defensive backs like Talanoa Hufanga, Pat Surtain II, Brandon Jones, and Ja’Quan McMillian.
The 32-year-old safety knows that his time in the NFL is almost up. While the Broncos fit the title of ‘Super Bowl contender,’ it seems unlikely for Denver to resign Simmons.
However, many teams offer beloved former players veteran contracts for one last run together.