Eight years in Denver. Two Pro Bowls. 30 interceptions. Then one phone call changed everything for Justin Simmons. The veteran safety who helped anchor the Denver Broncos’ defense suddenly found himself looking for a new home, cut loose by the team that drafted him. But here’s the twist: Simmons isn’t bitter about it.
How Did Justin Simmons Handle His Shocking Denver Release?
Last year, the Broncos released Simmons after eight years. In today’s NFL, even long-standing stars can find themselves on the move.
The NFL is a business first and foremost, and with players coming and going every week, change is the only real constant. It’s almost a miracle when a player sticks with one team for their entire career, but guys like Ben Roethlisberger and Eli Manning managed to do it, suiting up for just one squad from start to finish.
When the Broncos selected Simmons in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Sean Payton was in New Orleans, trying to get his Saints back on top. After Peyton Manning led Denver to a Super Bowl 50 championship, the Broncos flew under the radar for a couple of years, with much less attention than expected for a team fresh off a title win.
Simmons entered the locker room ready to impact and earned a full-time starting role in his second season. After a couple of years, it was clear he was developing into a true ballhawk, and with four interceptions in his first two seasons, his production only kept climbing. Over the next six years, he racked up 26 more picks and earned a pair of Pro Bowl nods.
When Denver hired Sean Payton in 2023, you could sense that he wanted to remake the team in his image. Despite the new direction, Simmons earned a Pro Bowl spot that season. Then, just weeks after he played in the game, the Broncos made the tough call to let him go.
What Did Justin Simmons Say About Sean Payton and Denver?
After being released by the Broncos, Simmons signed a one-year deal worth $8 million with the Atlanta Falcons, where he made his presence felt with two interceptions and 62 tackles. Now a free agent, he’s on the hunt for his next opportunity. Dan Shook of NFL.com captured Simmons’s thoughts regarding the ending of his stay in the Rockies.
“I can’t speak for Sean [Payton],” the former Broncos safety said, via the Denver Post. “I have no bad blood with Sean, with anyone in the building. I loved my time there. I will always consider him a friend and a great coach.”
In a world of pettiness, Simmons took the high road. His quote shows an understanding of the business of the game without snark or hurt feelings. No one likes losing their job, but how he handled the situation shows leadership.
“I loved Sean,” Simmon continued. “I love the Walton-Penner group and what they have going on. Business decisions happen. And sometimes there are casualties, where both player and fans wish there wasn’t and [there] just is. And both sides could be better from it, and you see they had a successful year. And I’m so happy for them.”
Justin Simmons is still a free agent…
I’m just sayin… pic.twitter.com/42Nu43e2aJ
— Jack Sperry (@jack_sperry) June 30, 2025
A team that needs a veteran safety who can still contribute for a year or two can look at how Simmons handled the worst day of his career and begin a dialogue. For instance, the San Francisco 49ers lost safety Talanoa Hufanga to Denver. Simmons taught a masterclass in handling adversity, one that deserves recognition.
