With the Denver Broncos should cut ties With quarterback Russell Wilson taking on a massive $35.4 million charge in 2024, more roster moves were inevitable. According to NFL Mediaone of those changes is that the Broncos will release safety Justin Simmons.
A Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in 2023, Simmons was expected to count for $18.25 million against the cap, but will now only carry $3.75 million against the dead cap, and the Broncos will save $14.5 million dollars on their books. They’ll still have to make a whole series of maneuvers to comply with the cap after passing Wilson’s decision, and that’s likely just the beginning of the process.
Simmons finished last season with 70 tackles, three interceptions, eight passes defensed and two forced fumbles. The Pro Bowl nod was the second of his career and the All-Pro selection was his fourth, all on the second team. Simmons has the versatility to line up all over the defense: according to Pro Football Focus, he has played over 1,000 career snaps in the slot (15%), over 2,000 in the box (29%) and over 3,800 as a deep free safety. (54%).
He’s still 30 years old and won’t turn 31 until mid-November, and he should be highly sought after on the market, especially since due to his release he won’t count in the compensatory draft formula for any team that signs. him.
The safety market, however, is now extremely crowded, with Eddie Jackson, Kevin Byard, Quandre Diggs, Jamal Adams, Rayshawn Jenkins and Jordan Poyer recently released, Xavier McKinney avoiding the transition label and players like Jordan Whitehead, Jordan Fuller, Kamren Curl, Tashaun Gipson, Julian Blackmon, DeShon Elliott, Geno Stone, Micah Hyde, Jayron Kearse, Mike Edwards, Brandon Jones, Jeremy Chinn and more reaching unrestricted free agency. It will be fascinating to see how this market develops, which players land big salaries and which teams are able to sign quality players through discount deals once more seats are filled.
