ESPN: Former Broncos most favorite starting safety Signs a Four-Year Contract with Falcons.
After becoming a salary budget casualty in Denver, former All-Pro safety Justin Simmons signed with the Falcons, two individuals with knowledge of the situation revealed on Thursday.
When he was cut in a salary dump, Simmons was among the highest paid safeties in the National Football League. He spent Monday and Tuesday with the Falcons, but no deal was made right away. He went to see the Saint as well.
On Thursday afternoon, the two sides resumed their discussions and finalized an agreement. The maximum amount of Simmons’ deal is $8 million, with a guarantee of $7.5 million. The Broncos avoided losing up to $14.5 million by releasing Simmons.
To save an additional $13.5 million, they also dealt wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to the Browns. It took the Broncos a few more major reorganizations to get under the salary cap. After agreeing to a four-year, $61 million contract in 2021, Simmons, 30, made an average yearly salary of $15.250 million.
NFLPA records show that the Falcons are only $3,984,345 below the salary cap. However, the organization may sign Simmons, free up salary budget space, and make place for outside linebacker Matthew Judon, who was acquired on Wednesday through a deal with the patriots.
To assist, they rearranged Chris Lindstrom’s contract. In 2016, Simmons was selected 98th overall in the third round of the draft by Boston College. During his eight seasons with the Broncos, he participated in 118 NFL games and made 108 starts.
With six interceptions in 2022, he topped the league with 30 interceptions in his career. In addition to being a Pro Bowl player in 2020 and 2023, Simmons is a four-time second-team All-Pro (2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022).