It took two franchise brands, but the Denver Broncos is finally getting a multi-year deal with security guard Justin Simmons.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Friday that the Broncos and Simmons are finalizing a long-term contract, according to informed sources.
The multiannual agreement took years to complete. John Elway used the franchise brand at Simmons last year, hoping it would be a replacement. Sides was unable to close a deal before the July deadline, forcing the security star to play at the one-year auction.
New Broncos GM George Paton once again marked the Simmons franchise this year to keep him out of the open market.
This time, a long-term solution is emerging quickly.
The Simmons deal is expected to make him the highest-paid safety in the NFL, and he will be worth every penny.
The long, athletic ball-hawk is a game-changing force. Perfect in the system of coach Vic Fangio, Simmons can cover in space, recover with speed on the backend and dive against the race. There are few, if any, holes in your game.
Since 2018, Simmons is one of three players with more than 250 tackles and more than 10 INTs (Vikings ‘Harrison Smith and Titans’ Kevin Byard). Simmons is the only player with 250 tackles and 12 INTs in that period, according to NFL Research.
Not only is he a dynamic ace, but Simmons doesn’t miss a beat either. The 27-year-old has played every defensive snap since early 2018 (3,067), the longest active streak for any player, by Next GenStats (including playoffs).
Blocking Simmons has been a priority for the Broncos for years. Finally, this deal is being closed, maintaining a cornerstone of Fangio’s defense in Denver for a long time.