JUSTIN SIMMONS NEWS

Broncos place franchise tag on safety Justin Simmons GM George Paton stressed on Thursday his desire to sign Simmons to a long-term deal, which remains a viable option.

MARCH 5, 2021 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM

Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons becomes first NFL player to get franchise tag in 2021, per reports Pro Bowl Denver safety Justin Simmons tagged by team for second straight year.

MARCH 5, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Receiving franchise tag The Broncos will apply the franchise tag to Simmons on Friday, Benjamin Allbright of KOA Colorado reports.

Impact Simmons, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent, will receive the franchise tag after another impressive season in 2020 that included 96 tackles (77 solo) and nine pass breakups. Simmons finds himself in unique territory for his position, becoming the first safety since Donovin Darius (2003-2005) to be tagged in consecutive seasons. Broncos general manager George Paton confirmed Friday the team intends to work out a multi-year contract with the star defender, per Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com. "Designating (Simmons) with the franchise tag is a procedural move that allows us to continue working on a long-term deal," said Paton.

MARCH 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Broncos placing 1-year franchise tag on safety Justin Simmons The Broncos still hope to reach a multi-year agreement with Justin Simmons.

MARCH 5, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Denver Broncos want Miller back but legal, money issues loom

Denver Broncos new general manager George Paton says he wants Von Miller to stay with the team but he wants to hear more about an unspecified criminal investigation into Miller bef...

MARCH 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Justin Simmons? Von Miller? Phillip Lindsay? Why the Broncos want them all back The Broncos and Justin Simmons are optimistic about a long-term deal, but a Von Miller return might be tougher at his current price.

MARCH 4, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

NFL free agency DB rankings: Broncos' Justin Simmons is the top safety; who's the top CB? Injuries and age make some evaluations a challenge, with the cornerback market particularly tricky. But there are playmakers to be found.

MARCH 4, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

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 late...

FEBRUARY 24, 2021 • PREDOMINANTLYORANGE.COM

Justin Simmons rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency Justin Simmons will likely be a top free agent if he becomes available in NFL free agency next month. Since his arrival in Denver, Vic Fangi...

FEBRUARY 24, 2021 • FANSIDED.COM

Team seeking long-term deal The Broncos intend to reach a long-term contract with Simmons before exploring the possibility of franchise tagging him for a second consecutive year, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network r...

Impact With the franchise tag window opening Tuesday and extending through March 9, new Broncos GM George Paton is faced with one of his first critical decisions. Simmons, who earned the first Pro-Bowl nod of his career while playing on the tag in 2019, is a homegrown player who has developed into one of the premier safety talents in the league. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent, but both sides have expressed interest in reaching an extension. The 27-year-old has composed three consecutive 90-plus tackle seasons, while his nine interceptions since the start of 2019 rank second to only Tyrann Mathieu among safeties. Matt Prater, Ryan Clady, Demaryius Thomas and Von Miller (ankle) all landed long-term extensions with the organization after receiving the franchise tag during John Elway's GM tenure. Paton will be directing personnel decisions this offseason, however.

FEBRUARY 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Broncos would rather not have to franchise tag Justin Simmons again The Denver Broncos obviously hope they can retain Justin Simmons over the long-term, and Simmons is obviously hoping things work out to wher...

FEBRUARY 22, 2021 • PREDOMINANTLYORANGE.COM

Justin Simmons will complete Arizona Cardinals safety tandem Over the past couple of seasons, the Arizona Cardinals have employed one of the best safeties in the NFL. Budda Baker, a former second-round...

FEBRUARY 22, 2021 • RAISINGZONA.COM

NFL carousel will spin soon, and not just for quarterbacks

The Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff trade not only has whet fans’ appetites for big deals, it’s caused a social media frenzy about which NFL quarterbacks are headed elsewhere

FEBRUARY 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Justin Simmons talks Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination, social-justice progress Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons joins

FEBRUARY 3, 2021 • NFL.COM

NFL free agents 2021: Set at safety? John Johnson, Justin Simmons and Anthony Harris could hit market The Browns are counting on Grant Delpit’s return after cashing in on the acquisition of Ronnie Harrison, but here are the safeties to watch...

JANUARY 29, 2021 • CLEVELAND.COM

Ex-NFL players hold mentoring sessions with prospects

Senior Bowl players spend the days meeting with NFL teams and getting practice instructions from NFL coaches

JANUARY 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Justin Simmons, Von Miller among 'bigger things' on George Paton's offseason to-do list It sounds like Paton will make re-signing Simmons a priority.

JANUARY 21, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Denver Broncos: One big reason team must re-sign Justin Simmons Justin Simmons is in line for a big deal, and it should come from the Denver Broncos. There are some great safeties currently playing in the...

JANUARY 21, 2021 • PREDOMINANTLYORANGE.COM

Broncos GM George Paton doesn’t want to let Justin Simmons go New Denver Broncos general manager George Paton will have to make some hard, unpopular decisions at some point in time, there is no doubt. O...

JANUARY 20, 2021 • PREDOMINANTLYORANGE.COM

Justin Simmons explains why Denver would be the perfect fit for his career going forward Denver Broncos S Justin Simmons explains why Denver would be the perfect fit for his career going forward.

JANUARY 20, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Elway empowers GM as Paton promises collaboration, consensus

John Elway says he's empowering his new general manager to make the difficult decisions facing the Denver Broncos

JANUARY 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Justin Simmons decision likely high on George Paton's to-do list Broncos GM George Paton said he will make a decision on Justin Simmons after he meets with the team’s coaches and scouts.

JANUARY 19, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Sets career mark in picks Simmons finished the 2020 season with 96 tackles, three tackles for loss, five interceptions, nine passes defensed and a fumble recovery.

Impact Playing on the franchise tag, it's hard to imagine Simmons's season going any better for him. The Boston College product was one off his career high in tackles and set a career mark in interceptions with five, including the game-sealer in Week 11 versus Miami.  All the while, he covered up the mistakes of a very young, injured cornerback corps. Simmons doubtlessly benefits from head coach Vic Fangio's zone-heavy scheme, but he's earned the right to be one of the league's highest-paid safeties no matter where he plays in 2021.

JANUARY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Justin Simmons deserved to join Garett Bolles as All-Pro Justin Simmons deserved to be an All-Pro for the second straight year. Despite finishing the season 5-11, the Denver Broncos can look at the...

JANUARY 10, 2021 • PREDOMINANTLYORANGE.COM

Broncos focus on 5 candidates for John Elway's GM successor

The Denver Broncos are focusing on five candidates to replace John Elway as general manager

JANUARY 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS