Broncos release Pro Bowler, who joins crowded safety market

There may be no position more stacked than safety heading into free agency, which begins next week on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET, especially now that a four-time All-Pro (second team) is now set to join the growing list.

On Thursday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Broncos are releasing Justin Simmons after eight seasons in Denver. The move saves the team $14.5 million against the salary cap.

The Broncos deciding to part ways with their former third-round pick in 2016 comes as a bit of a surprise as he's coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he had 70 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, three interceptions and eight passes defensed.

No player has had more interceptions than Simmons (30) since he entered the league, Schefter notes. However, Denver is still working to get under the salary cap ahead of the new league year.

Safety will now be added to the Broncos' growing list of needs this offseason while Simmons is added to an already talented free-agent safety class.

In recent days, several big-name safeties have been salary-cap casualties such as Jordan Poyer, Jamal Adams, Kevin Byard, Quandre Diggs, Rayshawn Jenkins and Eddie Jackson.

Simmons, who is still only 30, immediately becomes one of the top free agents, nonetheless safeties. What he is scheduled to make is up for debate in a crowded market, but it would not be surprising if he gets the biggest payday by a safety this offseason.

As for landing spots, the Eagles are an interesting team to watch. Philadelphia had safety issues in 2023 and Simmons' defensive backs coach from Denver, Christian Parker, is now with the Eagles.

Philadelphia likely won't be the only team interested in Simmons' services in 2024, however, so there could certainly be a bidding war for the latest safety to hit the open market.