Broncos releasing All-Pro safety Simmons
The Denver Broncos are releasing four-time All-Pro safety Justin Simmons after eight seasons, the team announced.
The Broncos will save $14.5 million in cap space by moving on from the veteran defensive back.
However, considering his high level of play in 2023, Simmons was widely viewed as a potential trade chip instead of an outright release candidate.
Simmons has been one of the NFL's best safeties since being drafted by the Broncos in the third round in 2016. He's earned three straight second-team All-Pro nominations and made the Pro Bowl for the second time last season.
The 30-year-old has the most interceptions of any player (30) since entering the league. He's only missed seven games over the last six seasons, though they all came in the previous two years.
The Boston College product joins a loaded free-agent safety class.
Recently released safeties:
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 7, 2024
Justin Simmons
Eddie Jackson
Kevin Byard
Quandre Diggs
Jamal Adams
Rayshawn Jenkins
Jordan Poyer
Very deep group parachutes into already deep FA class of safeties.
The Broncos are in a tough cap situation following the release of quarterback Russell Wilson - whose NFL-record $85-million dead-money hit will likely be spread over the next two seasons - and could be headed for a rebuild.
Other potential cap-saving moves for Denver include trading receiver Jerry Jeudy, who's set to play on his $12.98-million fifth-year option; releasing wideout Tim Patrick to save $9.5 million; and trading or cutting longtime left tackle Garett Bolles to recoup $16 million.