Justin Simmons is set to sign a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons worth $8 million, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed on Thursday. The news of Simmons finalizing a deal with Atlanta was first reported by former teammate Su’a Cravens.
Simmons is now set to return to Colorado to face his former team when the Falcons take on the Denver Broncos in Week 11 this fall.
Simmons, 30, was drafted by the Broncos in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft out of Boston College. After beginning his career as a backup behind T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart, Simmons became a full-time starter in 2017.
Over the last eight years with the Broncos, Simmons totaled 604 tackles, 64 pass breakups, 30 interceptions, five forced fumbles, 4.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown.
Simmons ranks seventh on Denver’s all-time interceptions list and his 30 interceptions rank first in the league since 2016.
The Broncos released Simmons this spring in a move that saved the team $14.5 million in salary cap space. Denver replaced him by signing Brandon Jones to a three-year contract early in free agency.
A two-time Pro Bowler and four-time second-team All-Pro, Simmons now gets a fresh start in Atlanta. Entering his ninth season, Simmons will turn 31 in November.
We tracked all of the team’s free agency news on Broncos Wire.
