NFL teams will likely have reduced capacities at their stadiums this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That will lead to reduced revenue, which will result in a lower salary cap for the 2021 season.
With teams uncertain about the NFL’s financial structure for next season, the Broncos might be hesitant to give safety Justin Simmons a multi-year deal. If Denver does not agree to an extension with Simmons before Wednesday’s deadline, he will play the 2020 season on his $11.441 million franchise tag.
After playing on his tag, Simmons would then become a free agent in 2021.
Of the 15 players that were tagged this year, only “one or two” are expected to receive extensions before the deadline, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “The pandemic, and lack of financial clarity, are crippling hopes for long-term deals,” Schefter tweeted on Monday morning.
Last week, KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis tweeted a similar outlook.
“Although Simmons has till Wednesday to reach long-term deal, new economy across league may make it very difficult,” Klis wrote.
The deadline for extensions for tagged players is 2 p.m. MT on July 15.
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