Tag: Justin Simmons

Report: Broncos looking to re-sign safety P.J. Locke

After releasing Justin Simmons, the Broncos are attempting to re-sign fellow safety P.J. Locke.

The Denver Broncos saved $14.5 million in salary cap space when they released veteran safety Justin Simmons on Thursday. Some of that cap space will be used to find Simmons’ replacement, and Denver has an in-house candidate.

The Broncos are “looking to re-sign P.J. Locke,” according to a report from the Denver Gazette‘s Chris Tomasson. Locke is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on March 13. Denver could prevent him from hitting free agency by giving him an extension this week.

Locke, 27, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Texas in 2019. He was a key special teams player and rotational defensive back from 2020-2022 before being asked to step up as a fill-in starter in 2023.

Following an injury to Caden Sterns and multiple suspensions for Kareem Jackson, Locke started eight games last season. He ended the season with 53 tackles, five pass breakups, three sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception in 12 games.

Following the release of Simmons, Locke will likely be a priority in-house free agent for the Broncos. As things stand now, Locke and Sterns are likely the favorites to start at the team’s two safety spots in 2024.

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So who starts at safety for the Broncos in 2024?

The Broncos might go into 2024 with Caden Sterns and P.J. Locke as their starting safeties. The biggest question: Can they stay healthy?

The era of Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson has come to an end.

Simmons had been starting for the Broncos since 2017. Jackson started across from Simmons from 2019-2023 (until suspensions ultimately led to his release). Jackson is gone and Simmons has now been cut as well.

So who will start at safety for Denver in 2024?

The team’s safeties currently under contract are Caden Sterns, Delarrin Turner-Yell, J.L. Skinner, Devon Key and Tanner McCalister. P.J. Locke, who started eight games in the place of Jackson last year, is scheduled to become a free agent next week.

Locke should be a priority in-house free agent for the Broncos. He has proven himself as a capable starter and Denver will need him to step up in 2024 (assuming he returns). Locke will likely be paired with Sterns, who was a candidate to start over Jackson last year before he suffered a season-ending knee injury.

On paper, Locke and Sterns certainly look like a capable pair of starting safeties. The biggest concern will be if they can stay healthy. Locke missed five games last year and Sterns missed 28 of a possible 34 games over the last two seasons due to injuries.

When healthy, Locke and Sterns are starting-caliber defensive backs, but the Broncos will need to add more depth at safety this offseason.

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Why didn’t the Broncos trade Justin Simmons?

Why didn’t the Broncos trade Justin Simmons instead of releasing him?

Denver Broncos fans were shocked by the news of star safety Justin Simmons’ release on Thursday. It was well known that Denver needed to create more salary cap space, but Simmons was a team captain and the longest-tenured Bronco. Few pundits expected the safety to be cut.

A possible reduced salary? Sure. Even a trade? Sure. (Broncos Wire even wrote about the possibility of trading Simmons.) But releasing him for nothing? Who could have seen that coming?

So, why didn’t Denver trade Simmons?

There are likely two explanations, the first being Simmons’ contract situation. He’s set to turn 31 this season before becoming a free agent next spring. Why would another team trade a draft pick for a one-year rental, especially when they have to take on his full $14.5 million salary?

The second reason is a flooded market. Simmons is not the only big-name safety to get cut for cap reasons this week. Jordan Poyer, Jamal Adams, Kevin Byard, Quandre Diggs, Rayshawn Jenkins and Eddie Jackson were also let go by their respective teams, and several notable safeties are set to become free agents next week as well.

Consequently, there was likely no trade market for Simmons. He’s a talented safety, but no team would be willing to give up a draft pick for a 30-year-old safety that costs $14.5 million when there are dozens of talented, younger, cheaper safeties available.

Now that he’s a free agent, Simmons should draw interest from teams that don’t have to give up a draft pick to acquire him. But trading the safety was probably never a realistic option for the Broncos.

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Bears should consider signing All-Pro safety Justin Simmons

The Broncos released All-Pro Justin Simmons, who joins a loaded free-agent safety class. Will the Bears target him?

The Chicago Bears are trying hard to become a powerhouse in the NFL. They are rebuilding from scratch under general manager Ryan Poles, who inherited a mess from the regime before him. Part of their recent climb is the good play of their defense, which has made strides over the last two years.

Now, they have a chance to make more upgrades during a franchise-altering offseason. A lot of people are focused on what they are doing with their offense, and rightfully so. However, there should be plenty of attention on the defense this offseason.

There have been some big veteran salary cap casualties ahead of free agency, but the most surprising has been the Denver Broncos cutting ties with All-Pro safety Justin Simmons. They cleared up $14.5 million in salary cap space. Now, Simmons will be a hot commodity in what’s turning out to be a loaded safety group for free agency.

The former All-Pro safety would be a great addition for the Bears secondary, which is already pretty good at cornerback and with third-year safety Jaquan Brisker. Following Eddie Jackson’s release earlier this offseason, Chicago has a hole to fill at that free safety position.

Since making his NFL debut in 206, no player has had more interceptions than Simmons with 30. He has been truly one of the best. A player like that would do wonders for everyone around him. The secondary and linebackers are already good and they are going to improve the pass rush through the draft and free agency. Doing all of that plus adding a ball hawk like Simmons would be very wise.

Broncos salary cap update following Justin Simmons release

Even after releasing Justin Simmons, the Broncos still need to make more moves to get under the salary cap. Expect more cuts.

Going into this week, records from the NFL Players Association indicated that the Denver Broncos were about $14 million over the salary cap.

It’s not exactly clear what the cutoff date for that figure was, though, as sites like OverTheCap.com had the number closer to $16 million. Regardless of whether it was $14 million or $16 million, Denver was well over the cap.

The Broncos made the first of several moves to free up cap space when they released veteran safety Justin Simmons on Thursday. That cut will save $14.5 million in cap space this year. After the team parted ways with Simmons, OTC estimates Denver is still $2.65 million over the cap.

Even if that estimate is high and the Broncos are right near cap compliance, the team will need to create additional cap space to make any signings this offseason. In addition to outside free agents, Denver has a few key in-house free agents to re-sign, including safety P.J. Locke.

As the Broncos look to free up more cap space, left tackle Garett Bolles ($20 million), wide receiver Courtland Sutton ($17.39 million), defensive lineman D.J. Jones ($12.95) and receiver Tim Patrick ($15.57 million) will be players to keep an eye on in the coming days.

Denver could also look to restructure the contracts of players like defensive lineman Zach Allen ($19 million), right tackle Mike McGlinchey ($18.5 million) and guard Ben Powers ($15.25 million). The Broncos could also save $12.98 million if they trade wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.

The rebuild has started, and more moves are on the way. If Simmons isn’t safe, nobody is safe in Denver.

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The supply of free agent safeties has exploded, and that’s good for the Lions

The free agent safety market supply has exploded, and that’s good news for the Lions

The last few days have been tough on NFL safeties. However, it’s become a bullish buyer’s market for teams looking to add a safety or two from the upcoming free agency pool.

One of the top names on the list is Detroit’s own C.J. Gardner-Johnson. He’s been joined in recent days by a slew of 2023 starters who have been unceremoniously thrown into the free agent pool, mostly for salary cap purposes.

Since the NFL Scouting Combine safety workouts last week, all of these safeties have been released by their teams:

Kevin Byard, Eagles

Rayshawn Jenkins, Jaguars

Jordan Poyer, Bills

Jamal Adams, Seahawks

Quandre Diggs, Seahawks

Justin Simmons, Broncos

These are not insignificant players. Poyer was an All-Pro in 2022. Simmons earned second-team All-Pro status in four of the last five seasons. Diggs is third in the NFL in interceptions since the prior Lions regime traded him away in 2019.

Earlier in the offseason, Chicago unloaded longtime (and good) starter Eddie Jackson. Detroit, of course, parted ways with longtime starter Tracy Walker, too.

They join a group that already features appealing starters like Xavier McKinney (formerly of the New York Giants), Kam Curl (Washington Commanders) and Micah Hyde (Buffalo Bills) — and that’s far from a complete list of safeties worthy of signing around the league.

The Lions’ current safety room has Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Brian Branch, though Branch played just 41 of his 738 snaps at strong or free safety in his rookie season (he’s a slot defender). With Gardner-Johnson, Walker and Will Harris all pending free agents, the entirety of the depth behind the starters is 2023 undrafted rookie Brandon Joseph.

In short, the Lions have real needs at safety. That could involve bringing back Gardner-Johnson and Harris, but the unexpected bumper crop of available free agents opens up a lot of possibilities for Brad Holmes and the Lions.

Broncos release statement after cutting Justin Simmons

“Justin will always be a Bronco, and we thank him for the outstanding manner in which he represented our organization on and off the field.”

The Denver Broncos released safety Justin Simmons on Thursday, a cut that will save the team $14.5 million in salary cap space.

After the news was announced, the Broncos released the following statement on their official website:

Justin Simmons’ impact as a Denver Bronco extends far beyond his exceptional play during eight seasons with our organization.

In addition to growing into an All-Pro and team captain, Justin became our perennial Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year devoted to uplifting others and using his influence for positive change. Whether it was in Denver or his hometown of Stuart, Florida, Justin inspired and mentored countless youth while providing unwavering support to the community. The hundreds of hours he spent at the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club will be as much a part of Justin’s legacy with the Broncos as his leadership, dependability and many interceptions.

Justin will always be a Bronco, and we thank him for the outstanding manner in which he represented our organization on and off the field. We wish Justin, his wife Taryn, and their children Laney, Shae and Kyler the very best in the future.

Releasing such a statement suggests the Broncos will not be re-signing the safety at a cheaper rate. Denver likely asked Simmons to take a pay cut before releasing him.

P.J. Locke is scheduled to become a free agent next week so the Broncos’ remaining safeties under contract for 2024 are Caden Sterns, Delarrin Turner-Yell, J.L. Skinner, Devon Key and Tanner McCalister.

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Add All-Pro Justin Simmons to growing list of available safeties for Packers

Could four-time All-Pro Justin Simmons, who will be released by the Broncos, be an option as the Packers rebuild the safety position this offseason?

The list of available veteran safeties keeps growing and growing for the Green Bay Packers as free agency approaches. On Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Denver Broncos are releasing Justin Simmons, a two-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro at safety.

The Broncos confirmed the news in a statement released later Thursday.

Teams are cutting safeties like crazy before the start of the new league year. Simmons joins a list of released safeties including Jordan Poyer, Kevin Byard, Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs and Eddie Jackson.

Add in the class of safeties with expiring contracts, which includes Xavier McKinney, Kamren Curl, Geno Stone, Jordan Fuller, Julian Blackmon, Jordan Whitehead and Alohi Gilman, and the market at the position is flooded with experienced options.

The Packers’ need at safety is crystal clear. Darnell Savage, Rudy Ford and Jonathan Owens are all free agents, and the position group as a whole needs to improve substantially as the Packers enter 2024 under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.

Could Simmons, who has loads of experience at free safety, in the box and in the slot, be a legitimate option?

His pedigree is unquestionable. The former Bronco has intercepted at least three passes in six consecutive seasons. And during each of the last five seasons, he’s been named either a Pro Bowler (2020, 2023) or All-Pro (2019, 2021-23).

Simmons is entering his age 31 season and has missed seven total games over the last two years. But in games Simmons has appeared, he’s played close to 99 percent of the Broncos defense snaps since 2017.

Last season, Simmons intercepted three passes and forced two fumbles. He also defensed eight passes, recovered a fumble and recorded a sack. At Pro Football Focus, Simmons’ overall grade ranked 30th among qualified safeties last season. He remained excellent against the run but took a step back in coverage.

By pro-football-reference’s Approximate Value stat, Simmons has been one of the NFL’s most valuable safeties over the last half decade.

For his career, Simmons misses tackles on only 10 percent of attempts, and he’s intercepted more passes (30) than allowed touchdowns (24).

The Packers need at least one veteran safety in free agency, and the market is overflowing with options. Brian Gutekunst will sign at least one. The big question: does he want to go big game hunting with a player like Simmons or McKinney, or will the excess volume of veteran safeties allow Gutekunst to go bargain shopping?

Free agent Justin Simmons could be Rams’ best option in loaded safety class

Free agency is loaded with talented safeties and Justin Simmons might be the Rams’ best option of all

It’s a good time to need a safety because free agency is absolutely loaded with talented players. The Los Angeles Rams are among the many teams that could use help at the position as both Jordan Fuller and John Johnson, their two starters from last season, will be free agents next week.

With a free-agent market that already features Jordan Poyer, Xavier McKinney, Quandre Diggs, Jamal Adams, C.J. Gardner Johnson and Kevin Byard, Justin Simmons has now been added to the pool of talented safeties – and he might just be the Rams’ best option.

The Broncos released Simmons on Thursday, saving $14.5 million in cap space. He’s long been considered one of the best safeties in the NFL, earning two Pro Bowl selections in the last four years and being voted a second-team All-Pro in four of the last five seasons. In each of his eight seasons in the NFL, he’s had at least two interceptions, totaling 30 in his career.

Simmons is a model of consistency at safety, finishing with a PFF grade of 67 or better in seven of his eight seasons. The only exception was 2018 when he had a 60.9 grade, still a solid number. He’s as well-rounded a defender as they come, too.

Across run defense, tackling, pass rush and coverage, Simmons has never finished with a season grade lower than 51.2 at any of those spots. His most missed tackles in a season is 14, though he’s had nine or fewer in six of seven seasons.

Essentially, Simmons is a plug-and-play safety in any defense, immediately upgrading the secondary in a big way. He’s a true free safety capable of playing deep and taking away downfield passes, while also showing the ability to play in the box and cover the slot; he’s played over 1,000 slot snaps and 2,000 in the box.

On his last contract, Simmons was making more than $15 million per year. Now 30 years old, Simmons likely won’t command that sort of money, especially with all the great options at safety in free agency. He should still make at least $10 million annually, but that might actually be in the Rams’ price range if they covet his skill set.

He’s a safety worth looking to sign, swapping him in for either Fuller or Johnson if they leave in free agency.

How Talanoa Hufanga injury impacts 49ers offseason

Don’t expect the #49ers to make a big splash at safety as they navigate Talanoa Hufanga’s injury:

The 49ers are in a little bit of a tough spot when it comes to navigating the safety market this offseason. It appears they have two young starters to fill out the free safety and strong safety spots with Ji’Ayir Brown and Talanoa Hufanga, but Hufanga’s torn ACL in Week 11 of last season puts a sizable twist into how San Francisco can attack the position this offseason.

Even before Hufanga’s injury last season it looked on the horizon like the 49ers were going to need some depth at the position in 2024. Brown at that point was waiting in the wings behind Hufanga and Tashaun Gipson, and veteran special teams ace George Odum is at his best when just contributing on special teams. San Francisco, assuming Gipson’s exit, was going to need some viable depth.

The issue now is what type of depth they’ll need, and what the 49ers want to do over the next couple of years at that spot.

In the short-term they have to figure out if they need to find a player capable of starting if Hufanga isn’t ready to return by the season opener. It’s hard to be super optimistic about that since he was hurt so late in the year, but it’s not impossible that he’d be on the field by early September. They’ll need depth in either event, but the quality of player they add will have to be determined by Hufanga’s prognosis.

Do they go get a veteran like Broncos safety Justin Simmons or Bills safety Jordan Poyer, both of whom were released for salary cap reasons? Or do they add a free agent from the margins who can work in as a short-term starter if Hufanga does miss time?

The draft is also an option, but that’s where the long-term piece of this puzzle falls in. Hufanga is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2024, and his play through three seasons could earn him a deal beyond the 49ers’ budget next offseason. That would mean a relatively early pick in this year’s draft would be prudent since they’d be able to pair that player long-term with Brown.

If there’s optimism that Hufanga will re-sign, then perhaps the team would either skip a draft pick this year or use a later-round pick on a player who may or may not ultimately contribute.

There are no firm answers either way, but it would appear that a low-cost free agent on a one-year deal would make the most sense. That gives San Francisco the quality of depth they need to withstand Hufanga’s injury recovery, while also not tying them up for too many years. If they lose that free agent and Hufanga next offseason they’d be able to cross that bridge then either via free agency or the draft.

For now the lack of answers makes it hard to believe a big splash is coming for the 49ers at safety in 2024.

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