Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons: Broncos 'really close' to contending

The Denver Broncos placed the franchise tag on Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons for the second consecutive year in March but then signed the 27-year-old to a four-year contract that could be worth up to $61 million with $35 million included in guaranteed cash. 

Simmons hopes to be a cornerstone for what becomes a championship roster and explained during a Thursday appearance on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" he thinks the Broncos are within reach of accomplishing something special. 

"I feel like we're really close," he said during the segment, per Kevin Patra of the league's website. "We're finally having a year where we're having coordinators come back and guys are familiar with the schemes and the systems, both on offense and defense and on special teams. I feel like we're really close. I feel like this could be the year and I'm really excited for that. I've been itching for it ever since I came into the league — 9-7 is the closest I've been. And so I'm really looking forward to this season." 

One issue impacting the Broncos ahead of Week 1 is that head coach Vic Fangio has veteran Teddy Bridgewater and 2019 draft pick Drew Lock competing for the starting quarterback job as the club continues to be linked with disgruntled Green Bay Packers starter and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers in trade rumors. If Rodgers is, in fact, discussing a return to the Packers in early summer, though, either Bridgewater or Lock will be Denver's starting QB this September.