Broncos S Justin Simmons says five preseason games are a blessing

Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons doesn’t view the five preseason games as a hindrance to the team. In fact, he feels the opposite.

While many view the preseason as excessive already with only four games, Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons is not taking for granted the extra work his team is getting in 2019.

The Broncos are one of two teams in the NFL with five preseason games in 2019 after playing in the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, OH.

This extra game is particularly important because the Broncos are breaking in a brand new coaching staff, new schemes on both sides of the ball, with new players all over the roster. Most would probably assume players would think a fifth preseason game is annoying, but not Simmons.

Simmons told Broncos TV that the fifth preseason game is one of the team’s “blessings” this offseason.

"“These reps are precious especially for a whole new scheme on both sides of the ball.”Justin Simmons (via Broncos TV on YouTube)"

It’s possible Simmons is a rarity among the players in thinking the fifth preseason game is a blessing, but it’s also possible his mindset here is shared by his fellow Broncos teammates.

The preseason is especially important for head coach Vic Fangio, who is adjusting to life on the sideline as opposed to being up in the booth calling a defense.

Fangio has not been shy about being critical of the view coaches have on the sideline being inferior to that of the coaches in the booth. It will be fascinating to see how he calls a defense with this in mind.

Although Simmons counts the fifth preseason game as a blessing, what really is a blessing to the Broncos is the extra time they get to spend on the field. They already are afforded extra time in OTAs because of the fact that they have a new head coach, but playing in the Hall of Fame game allowed them to start training camp two weeks early.

Starters like Simmons might not play any more snaps in the preseason than they would if the team only had four games instead of five, but it’s certainly good to note at least one key player is not taking the extra reps for granted.

Simmons, if anyone, has taken advantage of the extra reps and extra work in Fangio’s defense on the practice field. He seems to have an interception every other day at camp.

Entering a contract year, another fun note from this video was Matt Boyer asking Simmons if they could do their seemingly annual preseason week one interview again next year. Simmons said they’ve got to excitedly.

You never know what will happen with the business side of things, but Simmons is a player the Broncos can build around defensively, and this year will go a long way toward proving that.