It's been 124 days since his release, and former Denver Broncos star Justin Simmons — a four-time second-team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler — remains at the center line of an infertile NFL free-agent safety market that bears a temperature just north of absolute zero.
The explanation for which likely boils down to one of two factors: either Simmons' financial demands are too great, warding off potential suitors, or he's playing his cards deep into the summer, ideally hoping to handpick a new home before the 2024 regular season.
If the latter, for the first time in his career, Simmons could well be the finishing touch on a playoff contender's resume — such as the Baltimore Ravens, whose in-house media arm crowed was an "attractive" option for the 30-year-old to consider.
"After Geno Stone's departure to Cincinnati, the battle for the No. 3 safety role will be a compelling storyline this summer. Washington may be the favorite heading into camp, but he'll face competition from Kane, Brade and Toles. The Ravens could also sign a veteran free agent such as Jamal Adams, who visited Baltimore in May, or Justin Simmons, who may be attracted by the chance to play for a Super Bowl contender," Ravens staff writer Clifton Brown posited Monday.
To the surprise of some, the Broncos cut Simmons on March 7 in a financially driven maneuver that was met with external angst but internally provided the club a whopping $14.5 million in much-needed salary cap space. The divorce was finalized after eight seasons and 30 interceptions, the most recorded by any NFL player over that span.
"Justin will always be a Bronco, and we thank him for the outstanding manner in which he represented our organization on and off the field," the club said in a statement on the day of his departure.
Though Simmons' play took a small step back in 2023 — he missed nine tackles, allowed an 85.9 passer rating in coverage (23 receptions on 36 targets), and graded out as Pro Football Focus' 42nd-ranked safety — there's plenty of gas remaining to help fuel a championship hopeful during the next act of his career.
Whether that act entails settling for (as would evidently be the case in Baltimore) a third-string role is a different conversation.
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