NEW DELHI: The Denver Broncos have parted ways with Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons in a significant move ahead of the 2024 NFL free agency, as reported by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and officially confirmed by the team on Thursday.
The Broncos expressed gratitude for Simmons' exceptional contributions over eight seasons, acknowledging his impact both on and off the field. The team released a statement saying, "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."
Simmons, a third-round pick in 2016, evolved into a two-time Pro Bowler and was named second-team All-Pro four times during his tenure with the Broncos. His impressive stats include 604 tackles, 64 passes defensed, and 30 interceptions, marking the most interceptions by any player over the past eight seasons.
The decision to release Simmons is seen as a strategic move by the Broncos to address their cap constraints, particularly in the aftermath of the expected release of quarterback Russell Wilson. Simmons was due to count $18.25 million against the salary cap, and his release provides Denver with significant cap relief, saving $14.5 million with $3.75 million in dead money.
While Simmons is coming off a season that fell below his usual standards, he remains one of the premier safeties in the NFL. Despite the cap-saving move, the Broncos' decision underscores their commitment to reshaping the roster in the second year under head coach Sean Payton, especially with the financial challenges posed by Wilson's contract.
Simmons, now a highly sought-after free agent, is expected to draw interest from various teams. Philadelphia stands out as a potential landing spot, given the need for a safety and the connection with Simmons' former coach Vic Fangio, who is now the defensive coordinator for the Eagles.
However, with a notable influx of veteran safeties hitting the market, including Jamal Adams, Kevin Byard, Eddie Jackson, Rayshawn Jenkins, and Jordan Poyer, there's a possibility that the competition could impact their respective earning potentials in the upcoming free agency frenzy.
(Inputs from agencies)
Stay updated with the latest from IPL Auction 2025, including the final squads of all 10 teams – MI, CSK, RCB, GT, RR, KKR, DC, PBKS, SRH, and LSG. Don't miss the latest updates on our Live Cricket Score page.The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment