The Denver Broncos and safety Justin Simmons have agreed on a long-term deal, according to Ian Rapoport of The NFL Network.
The contract is going to be a four-year deal worth $61 million that includes $35 million in guaranteed money, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Simmons will now be the highest paid safety in NFL history in average money per year at $15.25 million.
The morning after Denver’s final game of the 2020 season Simmons said, “I’ve always talked about wanting to be here. I hope it’s mutual.”
Simmons received the franchise tag for the second time in as many years by the Broncos this offseason. General manager George Paton said in his introductory press conference that the Broncos were not going to let their homegrown players go. The plan all along was to get a long-term deal done with Simmons developing into one of the best free safeties in the NFL.
The former third round pick earned All-Pro honors back in 2019 and then Pro Bowl honors last season. He joined Denver pass-rusher Bradley Chubb as the only two Pro Bowlers for the Broncos in 2020.
What’s more impressive is that Simmons currently owns the longest active streak for consecutive snaps by a defensive player with 3,211 consecutive snaps.
Since head coach Vic Fangio has arrived in Denver in 2019, Simmons’ impact on the Denver defense has improved each season with a total of nine interceptions over the past two seasons. Simmons has also defended 24 passes and recorded 189 tackles in his two years in Fangio’s defense. Simmons had a total of 196 total tackles in his previous three years without Fangio.
Simmons was drafted following the Broncos’ victory in Super Bowl 50, but since that game Denver has yet to appear in the playoffs. The now-highest paid safety has been teammates with players from that championship team who have tasted success, but that’s want Simmons wants now. Simmons has earned this contract, now it’s time for him and his Broncos to get back into the playoffs and change the culture of the franchise.
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