Broncos closing in on making Justin Simmons NFL’s highest-paid safety
Justin Simmons is a core piece for the Denver Broncos and the team is on the cusp of securing him to a long-term deal.
According to Benjamin Allbright of 850 KOA in Denver (Broncos Country Tonight), the deal is worth four years, $61 million and $35 million in guarantees, which would make Simmons the highest-paid safety on a per-year basis in the NFL today and throughout NFL history.
Breaking:
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) March 19, 2021
Per source: #Broncos are getting close to re-signing safety Justin Simmons, not done yet but will be.
4-year, $61 million dollar deal with $35 million in guarantees.
Long time coming for All-Pro/Pro Bowler.@KOAColorado @jsimms1119
(Broncos aren't done, either) pic.twitter.com/aQJ07fXEkd
The young safety from Boston College is a foundation piece of the Denver Broncos. There was never a chance Justin Simmons would test free agency as the Broncos placed a second franchise tag on him early. Also, there is no guarantee currently he would have played on the current franchise tag that Denver placed on him before free agency.
Today, the Broncos locked Simmons in for the long haul. Denver did the smart thing and extended Simmons for the foreseeable future.
Simmons has been vocal about playing on the franchise tag over the last year and that never changed him being a priority for the Broncos. He has grown to become the most valuable player in the secondary.
He replaced TJ Ward in 2017 full-time, but it was not until the hiring of Vic Fangio that Simmons blossomed into the player he is today. The safety is a smart, intellectual player on the backend that understands key moments during games. Of course, the strongest selling point of his fit on the field here is his athleticism.
All throughout his second season under Vic Fangio, questions were raised about the foundation being created by Fangio. Simmons is a big believer in what Fangio is creating. He knows it takes players to buy-in. Despite being given the franchise tag last off-season, Denver’s commitment to locking up Simmons never wavered.
Simmons has always loved Denver and the city holds a special in his heart. Ever since Simmons stepped onto a football field and when he appeared in front of the media, he has given honest answers. He says what is on his heart and what he believes.
Questions were beginning to be raised regarding George Paton, the new Denver Broncos GM, and the priority of signing Simmons to a long-term contract. Today, the new general manager got the job done and one he signified was a top priority from the beginning.
Immediately following his opening presser with the Denver media, he mentioned Simmons is one of the core guys they want to have around. One of the biggest themes under Paton is draft and develop. There is no better player who currently signifies that than Simmons. A player with raw gifts and athleticism to play safety and the consummate professional he is in the community.
Simmons is a pure quarterback on the defensive side of the ball. He also is the consummate professional off the field. Simmons was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee by the Denver Broncos and NFL for the second straight season. The NFL gives players a fantastic opportunity to showcase their talent. What makes the NFL special is when players give back.
For Simmons, he is about saving souls and winning Super Bowls. Winning Super Bowls would be special for Simmons, but changing a person’s life is the real prize. If Pat Bowlen could construct the perfect player that exemplifies what it means to be a Denver Bronco, Simmons would be on that list.
Listed at 6’3″ the Broncos safety leaps on your television with eye-popping plays. Whether it is blocking field goals or intercepting passes by high pointing a football, Simmons has become a field general.
Under Fangio, Simmons showed his athleticism by playing center field as a single-high safety sometimes. There he is allowed to use his God-given abilities to his advantage. He can scan the quarterback’s eyes and read and react appropriately.
Simmons’ potential is through the roof and it is possible Fangio has not had anyone as physically gifted as the Broncos’ safety. Former Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson jumped onto the scene with Fangio and has become a top safety in the NFL. Simmons is in the same boat. However, with the measurements and pure athletic talent, Simmons might have an edge over Jackson.
This is one of the reasons Simmons is here to stay. The Denver Broncos locked up a cornerstone piece for their future.