The 2025 NFL season is underway, and many are surprised that star safety Justin Simmons remains a free agent after just one year with the Atlanta Falcons. The two-time Pro Bowler spent most of his career with the Denver Broncos, who selected him in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Even at 31, Simmons is still a productive player, so why hasn’t he been signed?
Why Has Justin Simmons Remained Unsigned in NFL Free Agency?
Simmons spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Broncos, recording 11 interceptions in his first four years. In 2019, he earned second-team All-Pro honors and quickly established himself as one of the league’s top safeties. Denver placed the franchise tag on him in 2020, and he responded with one of his best seasons: 96 tackles, five interceptions, and his first Pro Bowl selection.
The Broncos tagged him again in 2021 before signing him to a four-year, $61 million extension, making him one of the highest-paid safeties in the NFL. He backed it up with steady production, totaling 14 interceptions over the next three seasons and earning second-team All-Pro honors each year from 2021 to 2023.
Following the 2023 season, Denver waived Simmons to clear cap space, and he signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the Falcons in August 2024. However, this year, it has taken more time for Simmons to find a new team as he is still a free agent while Week 1 is underway.
Simmons’ 2024 season was somewhat underwhelming statistically. He finished with 62 tackles, the fewest since his rookie year, and didn’t record a sack. He added just two interceptions, though one came against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Some teams may now be questioning whether his best years are behind him.
In an interview with Kay Adams earlier this year, Simmons expressed interest in playing for the Eagles, Commanders, Bengals, or Bills, signaling his desire to sign with a contender. While Philadelphia seems unlikely after selecting a safety in the second round, Washington, Cincinnati, and Buffalo remain plausible landing spots.
Justin Simmons says Josh Allen is the best player in the league 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/vZ8RtHzU8l
— Justus General (@JA17MVP) September 2, 2025
Adams summed it up well, telling him, “You bring something special to this locker room, something this team has been waiting for.” That kind of leadership could push a team over the top.
PFSN included the Philadelphia Eagles among potential landing spots for the veteran this past offseason.
Simmons may not be rushing into a deal, but he’s still one of the best at his position. A veteran safety with range, instincts, and locker room presence doesn’t stay on the market forever, and probably won’t.
Considering how poorly the Chiefs’ defense performed in Week 1 against the Chargers, it wouldn’t be surprising if Simmons returns to the AFC West, this time joining a team he enjoyed competing against during his time in Denver.
