Justin Simmons Released by Broncos; Creates $14.5M in NFL Salary Cap Space

The Denver Broncos released veteran safety Justin Simmons on Thursday ahead of the start of the NFL's new league year next week.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the move will save the Broncos $14.5 million against the salary cap.

Originally a third-round pick by the Broncos out of Boston College in 2016, Simmons played his way into a prominent role as a rookie and then established himself as a full-time starter for the rest of his time in Denver.

Since 2019, Simmons has been named a second-team All-Pro on four occasions, and he has been a Pro Bowler twice during that span as well.

In 118 career regular-season games, Simmons has 30 interceptions. That included 16 in a three-year stretch from 2020 through 2022, headlined by a league-leading six picks in 2022.

Simmons earned his second career Pro Bowl nod in 2023 when he finished with 70 tackles, three interceptions, eight passes defended. two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one sack in 15 games for the 8-9 Broncos.

Over the past several seasons, Simmons has been in the conversation as the best all-around safety in the NFL. In addition to his consistent production as a ballhawk, Simmons has also shown a willingness and ability to play a physical style, finishing with 90 or more tackles in three straight seasons from 2018 to 2020.

While the Broncos never reached the playoffs during his time in Denver, Simmons departs the organization as arguably one of the best safeties in team history.

Simmons' 30 interceptions are tied for seventh on the Broncos' all-time list, placing him ahead of Hall of Famer Steve Atwater and four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris Jr.

He is also 12th on the Broncos' all-time solo tackles list with 443 and third in career passes defended with 64 behind only Hall of Famer Champ Bailey and Harris.

Simmons' release leaves the Broncos with a massive hole in their secondary, as their top safeties under contract for 2024 are 2021 fifth-round pick Caden Sterns, 2022 fifth-round pick Delarrin Turner-Yell and 2023 sixth-round pick JL Skinner.

Given his track record, Simmons figures to have a fairly robust market in free agency. He stands out as one of the best options in a stacked group of free-agent safeties.

Simmons joins a free-agent crop that includes Quandre Diggs, Jamal Adams, Eddie Jackson, Kevin Byard, Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Darnell Savage, Xavier McKinney and a host of others.