Denver Broncos Safety Justin Simmons Signs Franchise Tag

Denver Broncos All-Pro Safety Justin Simmons has signed his $11.441 million franchise tag (via. Adam Schefter). Simmons, 26, hails from Manassas, Virginia and was a Second-team All-Pro in 2019. Simmons was selected with the 98th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Boston College. The star defensive back, played both safety and cornerback in college starting all 12 games by his senior year for the Eagles.

Simmons has started 48 of 58 games played and has recorded 289 tackles with 211 of them being solo tackles. He isn’t just a safety that only tackles, recording 11 interceptions and 28 pass deflections in four seasons (via. pro-football-reference.com).

The Broncos defense remains strong for a least one more year. Simmons stays in Denver along with safety Kareem Jackson, edge rusher Von Miller, and newly acquired cornerback A.J. Bouye. Jackson, Bouye and Simmons will make for one of the NFL’s scariest secondary trios.

As of now, Simmons will play under the franchise tag. The Broncos reached long-term agreements with the last 4 players that received the franchise tag before the deadline. Those players where, Matt Prater, Demaryius Thomas, Ryan Clady and Von Miller.

Simmons isn’t just an amazing player on the field but also an amazing person off of it. He was the Denver Broncos nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2019. Simmons helped out with 20 different organizations last year including Civic Engagement and Hunger relief (via. denverbroncos.com).

The Denver Broncos are not expected to reach a deal with Simmons before the 2 p.m deadline, Wednesday July, 15th. After the deadline the ball-hawking defensive back will not be able to sign a long-term deal until after the 2021 season.