Simmons hit the free agent market at the start of the offseason after the Denver Broncos waived veteran safety Justin Simmons as a cost-cutting measure.
Simmons has been searching for a new team as NFL training camps begin in late July, but on Thursday the two-time Pro Bowl selection appeared to have found a new team: Simmons’ agent, Athletes First, announced that he had signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
NFL Network reported that Simmons’ contract is worth $8 million, with $7.5 million of that being fully guaranteed.
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Denver Broncos’ Justin Simmons watches from the sideline during the national anthem before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on Dec. 31, 2023 in Denver. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Second-year safety DeMarco Hellams was injured in a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins last week, and Falcons head coach Raheem Morris later said Hellams is expected to be out for a “significant amount of time.”
“DeMarco was obviously injured.” Morris said“He’s going to be out for a significant amount of time but it’s an ankle injury so we’ll see what that means.”
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Simmons will be paired with second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection Jessie Bates III after a productive 2023 season. Simmons, 30, has an NFL-high 30 interceptions since 2016 and is also the only player in the league with at least two interceptions in each of the past eight seasons.
Justin Simmons of the Denver Broncos plays defense during a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Empower Field at Mile High on Nov. 19, 2023 in Denver. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
Only the Vikings’ Harrison Smith (34) and Saints’ Tyrann Mathieu (33) had more interceptions during that same span.
Simmons came to Atlanta as a four-time second-team All-Pro and is still widely regarded as one of the best players in the league at his position, but the Broncos defense regressed last year, finishing 29th in points allowed per game. Denver also finished near the bottom of the league in points allowed per game.
Justin Simmons of the Denver Broncos warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High on Dec. 31, 2023 in Denver. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Even with Sean Payton taking over as head coach last year, the Broncos’ offensive stumbles continued and the team eventually benched quarterback Russell Wilson.
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The Simmons acquisition capped a busy week for the Falcons, who added a much-needed pass rusher to their roster by sending a 2025 third-round draft pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for Matthew Judon. The two teams confirmed the trade on Thursday.
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