The Broncos have released an All-Pro defensive starter with a $61 million contract.
With free agency approaching next week, the Denver Broncos are making moves to get back under the salary cap. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, they are releasing All-Pro safety Justin Simmons, which will save them $14.5 million against the cap. This move is necessary due to the release of Russell Wilson and his significant dead cap hit.
Simmons was in the final year of his four-year $61 million deal, signed in 2021. Although his $14.5 million salary for this season was not fully guaranteed, he had been a key player for the Broncos, with three interceptions, eight passes defended, and 70 tackles last season.
The Broncos praised Simmons for his impact both on and off the field, highlighting his leadership, community involvement, and numerous accolades. Since being drafted in 2016, Simmons has been a consistent presence in the Broncos’ secondary, starting every game over the past four seasons and earning All-Pro honors multiple times.
With just one winning season since 2016, the Broncos are looking to rebuild, and releasing Simmons could allow him to join a Super Bowl contender. The Philadelphia Eagles are mentioned as a potential landing spot for the 30-year-old safety.
Who Will Replace Simmons?
From 2019 to 2023, the Broncos boasted one of the NFL’s top safety tandems with Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson. Now, they are tasked with finding replacements for both players.
Denver released Jackson midseason, and he subsequently rejoined the Houston Texans, where he began his career. The Broncos had hoped Caden Sterns would step up in Jackson’s absence, but Sterns missed the entire season due to a torn patellar tendon suffered in Week 1.
Sterns was poised for a breakout year after playing in only five games in 2022 due to hip surgery. According to NFL Network’s James Palmer, the Broncos had high expectations for Sterns in his third NFL season, citing his versatility, intelligence, and ball skills.
In 2023, P.J. Locke filled in admirably for Jackson, appearing in 12 games, defending five passes, intercepting one, and recording 53 tackles. While Locke is a free agent, the Broncos could re-sign him at a reasonable price and consider him for the starting role in 2024.
Additionally, the Broncos drafted JL Skinner in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, providing another potential starting option at safety. Delarrin Turner-Yell, a fifth-round pick in 2022, is also in the mix at free safety.
With limited cap space, the Broncos are unlikely to pursue high-priced free agent safeties. Instead, they may look to their current roster or target a safety early in the upcoming draft to fill Simmons’ spot.
