The San Francisco 49ers need a new safety after losing Talanoa Hufanga to free agency. The 25-year-old missed 17 games over two seasons with injuries before leaving the team that drafted him in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Now the 49ers have their eyes on a proven veteran who could fill that gap. Four-time All-Pro Justin Simmons is available, and San Francisco makes sense as his next stop.
San Francisco 49ers Urged to Sign 4-time All-Pro for Defensive Stability
CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin named the 49ers as one of the best fits for Simmons, who is entering his 10th NFL season. The Denver Broncos selected him 98th overall in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
The Broncos released Simmons after eight seasons to save money. During his time in Denver, Simmons recorded over 600 combined tackles in 108 starts. His consistent play made him one of the league’s top safeties year after year.
The Atlanta Falcons signed him to a one-year deal worth $8 million, including a $4.75 million signing bonus. The team chose him as their starting strong safety ahead of Richie Grant and DeMarcco Hellams for the 2024 NFL season. In his only year with the Falcons, Simmons recorded 62 combined tackles, defended seven passes, and made two interceptions.
The Falcons chose not to extend Simmons, making him a free agent again. The veteran safety has been clear about wanting to play in 2025. Benjamin listed the 49ers as one of the most likely options for Simmons, along with the Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Commanders, and the reigning Super Bowl champions.
“If Simmons can’t reunite with Vic Fangio in Philadelphia, perhaps he’d settle for one of Fangio’s most accomplished disciples in Robert Saleh, who’s back as San Francisco’s coordinator after a tumultuous stint as New York Jets head coach,” Benjamin wrote.
“The 49ers spent much of the offseason shedding salary, including by letting Talanoa Hufanga sign elsewhere, but with projected starting safeties Ji’Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha both nursing injuries, a one-year partnership could make sense.”
#NFL Players with the most INTs since 2020:#Falcons Justin Simmons – 21 #Cowboys Trevon Diggs – 20 #Saints Tyrann Mathieu – 19 #Falcons Jessie Bates III – 18#Patriots JC Jackson – 18 (not played since 2023) pic.twitter.com/PAKlXtoWU0
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) April 9, 2025
The 49ers’ safety situation looks thin right now. Both Brown and Mustapha are dealing with injuries, which makes adding a veteran like Simmons even more important. His experience could help stabilize the defense while the younger players recover.
Simmons showed his value in 2023 when he earned his second Pro Bowl honor and a second-team All-Pro selection. He signed with the Falcons in August last year, and teams looking for safety help might follow a similar timeline this year.
Except for his rookie year when he made only three starts, Simmons’ 62 combined tackles last season marked a career low. At 31 years old, he still has plenty left in the tank and could bounce back with a strong 2025 season. A good year could lead to a bigger contract in future seasons. For now, the 49ers could sign him at a reasonable price that fits their budget.
The timing works well for both sides. San Francisco needs safety help with their current injuries, and Simmons wants to play for a contender. The 49ers’ defensive system under Saleh could help Simmons return to his All-Pro form while giving the team the veteran presence they need in the secondary.
