Justin Simmons has been one of the best safeties in the NFL over his nine-year career. He’s currently a free agent and recently joined an episode of “Up & Adams” to talk about what’s next.
When Simmons was approached about joining the Kansas City Chiefs, the former Denver Bronco had a tough time expressing his feelings about his longtime rival.
Justin Simmons: ‘My Heart Is Torn’ Over Joining Kansas City Chiefs
The Broncos picked Simmons in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and he spent his first eight seasons in Denver. He recorded 11 interceptions over his first four years and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2019. Denver franchise-tagged Simmons in 2020, and he made the Pro Bowl that season after posting 96 tackles and five interceptions.
They tagged him again in 2021 but eventually agreed to a four-year, $61 million extension that offseason. Simmons grabbed 14 interceptions over his final three years with the Broncos and was named second-team All-Pro each year.
Denver waived Simmons after the 2023 season, and he signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons. In 2024, he finished with 62 tackles and two interceptions — one came against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Simmons was a thorn in Mahomes’ side during his time in Denver. The two-time Pro Bowler has six career picks against arguably the best quarterback in the NFL. So, where will Simmons land in 2025?
Kay Adams floated Kansas City as a possible destination, and Simmons didn’t hide his mixed emotions about joining a former AFC West rival.
Justin Simmons to the Chiefs…?
Devin McCourty talks some sense into the ex-Bronco.@heykayadams | @jsimms1119 | @devinmccourty pic.twitter.com/9eGAXCj3GQ
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 8, 2025
When Adams asked if Mahomes would want the four-time All-Pro in Kansas City, Simmons said, “It’s just where my heart is torn. Speaking truthfully here, my heart is torn because I’ve always been so publicly against Kansas City. It’s because they’re a really good team. It’s not a true hate. I want to beat them. It’s ingrained in me to beat them.
“I think it was Josh Jacobs a while ago. There were links to him leaving Vegas to go to Kansas City, and he was like, ‘Nah, I wanna beat them.’ I honestly feel the exact same way, so am I shutting that door, am I closing it? No. I wanna be the team that beats them.”
Adams then brought in Devin McCourty to keep the conversation going and said, “I love Justin Simmons to Kansas City. Lose a veteran safety, bring in a veteran safety. He’s been picking Mahomes off since he was a young buck in Denver. He can tell Mahomes why and how it’s happening. Get you a Super Bowl ring, like why not man?”
Simmons laughed and replied, “Man, you know exactly why. Everyone wanted to beat you when y’all were playing, and y’all still found ways to win. I’m not closing the door. I’m not that incompetent to think that if Kansas City wanted me to come through, I wouldn’t, but I just want to beat them, man.”
McCourty played his 13-year career with the New England Patriots and won three Super Bowl titles. The Chiefs have become what the Patriots once were: The team everyone wants to beat. So it makes sense that Simmons would hesitate to join them after years of trying to take them down. But the chance to win a Super Bowl ring — that’s hard to pass up.