Broncos: One important reason to get Justin Simmons deal done ASAP
There are no shortage of good reasons for the Denver Broncos to get safety Justin Simmons signed to a long-term deal sooner rather than later.
Simmons has an impressive resumé and represents the type of player new Broncos GM George Paton stated he does not want to let walk out the door.
Since being drafted in the third round by the Denver Broncos in the 2016 NFL Draft, Simmons has accomplished more than enough on and off the field to warrant a long-term contract putting him among the highest-paid players at his position in the league.
Justin Simmons resumé:
- 385 career tackles
- 16 career interceptions
- 37 career pass breakups
- 2-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee
- Still only 27 years old
- Hasn’t missed a snap in over three seasons
Simmons is the exact player you build your locker room around. Even if the safety position doesn’t carry the same type of value as quarterback, left tackle, or cornerback, Simmons has done everything right as a professional and if the Broncos don’t pay him, it will set a horrendous precedent for their locker room.
In order to preserve their negotiating window, the Broncos can (and would) franchise tag Justin Simmons for a second-straight season. He would have plenty of suitors on the open market, but the Broncos aren’t going to let him get there. Tagging him for a second-straight season would cost the Broncos $13.7 million against the salary cap.
For that exact reason, the Broncos should be motivated to get a long-term deal done before the March 9 franchise tag deadline.
If Simmons is tagged for a second-straight season, he could wait to sign the tag and hope to negotiate his long-term contract in due time. The Broncos, however, might prefer the luxury of having additional cap space available to them and could easily get a lower 2021 salary cap hit if Simmons signs a long-term deal.
Historically, players the Broncos sign to long-term contracts have low year one cap hits. We will have to wait and see if that will end up being the case with George Paton as general manager, but with the NFL salary cap declining to a minimum of $180 million in 2021, every team is going to have to do what they can to keep 2021 cap hits low.
Simply put, Simmons signing a long-term deal as opposed to the franchise tag gives the Broncos more flexibility in free agency. That flexibility will be necessary as the Broncos look to fill some gaps on the roster before the 2021 NFL Draft rolls around.
March 9 is just 13 days away at this point. The Broncos would be wise to push for a long-term deal with Simmons ahead of that deadline.