Jamal Adams followed Marcus Maye in coming off the free agent board this summer, landing a deal with the Titans on Thursday. Safety talent still resides on the market, and Justin Simmons headlines that list.
The former Broncos standout, who received four second-team All-Pro nods over the past five seasons, has been available for four months now. A lack of interest is not keeping the eight-year veteran unsigned. As could be expected given Simmons’ age (30) and accomplishments, money is the lead driver here.
Several teams consider Simmons the top free agent remaining, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, who adds the longtime Denver starter has drawn considerable interest during his time on the market. A recent report suggested low-money deals featuring incentives were likely for a safety glut that still includes Simmons, Quandre Diggs and Eddie Jackson. Simmons probably checks in a tier higher here, which has made his availability somewhat curious even as the safety market has fluctuated.
This offseason brought three big-ticket deals — for Antoine Winfield Jr., Xavier McKinney and Kyle Dugger — with the Buccaneers defender scoring a position-record extension. Winfield’s four-year, $84.1MM contract not only set a safety record, it came in with a higher AAV than any cornerback has secured to date.
Free agency, however, also brought a modest contract for Kamren Curl (two years, $9MM) and midlevel pacts for the likes of Geno Stone (2/14) and Rayshawn Jenkins (2/12). Kevin Byard joined Simmons as a cap casualty; the Bears gave him a two-year, $15MM pact. C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who has an extensive past in the slot, signed a nine-year, $27MM deal to return to the Eagles. But just $10MM is guaranteed at signing.
It would stand to reason Simmons is aiming fairly high, given his production. Since coming into the league in 2016, Simmons has snared more interceptions (30) than anyone else. This came after the former third-round pick waited a year to start behind former Super Bowl cogs T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart. Simmons also already cashed in, having played the 2020 season on the franchise tag before spending three seasons on a four-year, $61MM extension.
With considerable earnings banked, Simmons is also likely prioritizing a fit. The Broncos drafted Simmons two months after a Super Bowl parade but have not made the playoffs since. Landing with a contender makes sense for the Boston College alum; a Broncos reunion is viewed as highly unlikely, as the team has made lower-cost plans at the position.
Experienced players have been known to wait until training camp or occasionally into the preseason to sign. Camp gives teams a better view of where position groups stand, and injuries obviously can shake up depth charts. With camps starting in less than three weeks, Simmons’ 2024 destination should be known fairly soon. It will be interesting to see if he lands a one-year deal with hopes of a better market in 2025 or secures a notable multiyear commitment this summer.
My top two landing spots for him are Chicago or Buffalo makes too much sense
Buffalo would be a VERY interesting place. I think that would could potentially fill a need in area that they’ve really relied on for years with a great tandem. Off the top of my head, New York (Giants) needs him, but I find his landing there doubtful. Simmons could improve any team immediately.
I wonder a bit if he held out hope that Denver would attempt an offer, but the Wilson fiasco’s biggest impact this year is the disintegration of Simmons’ cap allotment. As another possibility…would Simmons want to follow Fangio to Philly? They have an emerging safety in Blankenship and brought back Gardner-Johnson, so they don’t need him necessarily, and just signed Barkley to a lucrative deal. But I don’t ever count out Roseman completely when making a deal. Adams and Johnson just recently took two suitors off the board. It seems that Simmons is awaiting the better offers to come in.
I also can’t get the Lions out of my head on this. It seems like they’re excited to get Branch back at staying at safety, and are comfortable with Adams, but they seem good fit-wise. They’re contenders who would be excellent with Simmons solidifying what was a problem area due to injury last year (that is to say, the back end as a whole), especially in using his smarts and experience to compensate for the youth at corner.
I could see the Jets, but I think they’d like Clark to bounce back from his injury. The Jets have a lot of good pieces in that situation, unfortunately-looking to bounce back from injury.
Detroit has a ton of new pieces already in that secondary. Needs some continuity somewhere!
You’re right about Detroit, but I just can’t get over the potential upgrade there. The continuity doesn’t really have much experience, and Simmons has more than what is offered. Kerby Joseph is also coming off injury, so Simmons could be helpful in that regard. Glenn is going to have to work hard in schooling Davis and the new draftees as is; adding one more head to the classroom, especially an experienced one, could be worth the potential upgrade Simmons could provide.
Joseph is good enough to start, don’t get me wrong, but I just can’t ignore the danger that that secondary could possibly present to an opposing quarterback. Detroit already looks to have a full slate of starters for next year, so I understand the hesitancy, I just cannot ignore the possibility. Thanks,Zim zum, for reminding me about Edwards’ signing. Simmons is definitely a coverage upgrade, but the money would have to be doable.
@Ak185–all solid points I expect nothing less from you here. There are so many factors. Is it money? Prove it deal? Multi year contract? Incentives? Scheme fit? Doe he want to win now immediately as in a ring? Depth? Coaching? Etc
Buffalo can’t afford him with just over 10 million in thier cap. They signed Edwards and have Rapp on the other side. I don’t see that happening unless they free up some more money. Would love to see it though
Niners have a lot of cap room. Problem is with so many question marks in house and yet all have potential to fill the needs at SS and FS they gambling risk is high. If his number comes down to compete for a superbowl his options get bigger. Niners might take a one year prove it deal. But I sense the hope the answers are wearing the uniform already
Not to mention the loss of Gipson as a veteran safety. Simmons would be a certain upgrade, as well.
He’s looking for the money…
That can’t be right with C.J. Gardner-Johnston. 9-year/$27M deal?
The Jets have a perfect need at safety. Currently we have Chuck Clark and Tony Adams, which isn’t terrible. But adding Simmons to play alongside Clarke or playing 3 safeties to allow Simmons to rush the box would be diabolical on a defense that is already scary good. Make it happen, Joe D!