All-Pro Broncos safety Justin Simmons steps away from football at 32

Justin Simmons Retires from NFL After Ten Years

Justin Simmons has officially retired from the NFL, marking the end of a decade-long journey that began when he was drafted by the Broncos in 2016. His career spanned nine seasons in Denver and another year in Atlanta.

On Wednesday, the three-time Man of the Year nominee and Pro Bowl safety reflected on his incredible journey, saying, “This is beyond my wildest dreams. From 10 years ago to today, to walk into the building and see it with my own eyes.” He expressed a hope to make a difference on the field, emphasizing the impact he aimed to have.

Simmons, who is 32, played with the Broncos from 2016 to 2023, recording 30 interceptions—tying him for seventh in franchise history—and earning two Pro Bowl selections. He was also recognized as a second-team All-Pro four times during his tenure with the team.

In a heartfelt statement shared via Twitter, Simmons remarked, “Being a Denver Bronco was more than just a team. It was my heart, my home, and my story.” This announcement coincided with the very day he was drafted ten years prior.

After the 2023 season, Simmons was released for salary cap reasons and subsequently signed with the Falcons, although he did not play in the 2025 season. His contributions off the field did not go unnoticed; he was honored for his community involvement, receiving nominations for the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for three consecutive years and winning the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award three times.

“I always say it’s the greatest honor,” he commented regarding his community work. “Over the years, great people have been passed down through this building. It was a privilege to be a part of it for eight years, especially to be involved in coaching in areas off the field, where we were making a real difference in the community.”

Despite personal achievements, Simmons’ time with the Broncos was marked by the team’s struggles, missing the playoffs for eight straight seasons. Reflecting on his career, he admitted feeling disappointed about not achieving playoff success, but found comfort in the fan support after announcing his retirement. “It’s been a tough eight years,” he said. “It hurt that I couldn’t make the playoffs… I feel like too much was asked of me and I didn’t do enough.”