.jpg) Simmons with theDenver Broncos in 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||||||||||
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| Position | Safety | ||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
| Born | (1993-11-19)November 19, 1993 (age 32) Manassas, Virginia, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||
| High school | Martin County (Stuart, Florida) | ||||||||||||||||
| College | Boston College (2012–2015) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2016: 3rd round, 98th overall pick | ||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics as of Week 18, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||
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Justin Simmons (born November 19, 1993) is an American professionalfootballsafety. He playedcollege football for theBoston College Eagles and was selected by theDenver Broncos in the third round of the2016 NFL draft. He has also played for theAtlanta Falcons.
Simmons attendedBoston College where he enrolled as a communication major in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences. While at Boston College, he played bothsafety andcornerback.[1]
In2012, as afreshman he appeared in all 12 of the Eagles games. He started six games atfree safety and one atcornerback. He finished seventh on the team with 52tackles, he was tied for the team lead with two forcedfumbles. In2013, as asophomore, he appeared in all 13 games, he recorded 34 tackles, 22 solo tackles, and threepass break-ups. In2014, as ajunior, he started all 13 games, the first seven at free safety and the final six at right cornerback, moving due to injuries on the team. For the season, he led the team with 76 tackles, 63 solo and twointerceptions. He finished second on the team with five pass breakups. Before the2015 season, he was awarded the Jay McGillis Memorial Scholarship Award.[2] For the season, as asenior, he started all 12 games at free safety. He finished the season third on the team with 67 tackles, 49 solo. He was tied for 20th in the nation and second in the conference with five interceptions and tied for first in the conference with three fumble recoveries. He was named Second-teamAll-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association and ACC head coaches. He was also named Second-team All-ACC byPhil Steele and theAssociated Press. He was named to Steele'sAll-American Fourth Team andProFootballFocus.com All-America honorable mention.
He attended theNFL Scouting Combine and had the fastest time in the 20-yard shuttle (3.85s) at the NFL Combine since2006 (3.81s) and also tiedBraxton Miller for the best time in the 60-yard shuttle (10.84s) performed at the NFL Combine since2014 (10.72s).[3] He was also second overall in thethree-cone drill.[3] On March 16, 2016, Simmons participated at Boston College'spro day, but chose to only perform the40-yard dash (4.53s), 20-yard dash (2.62s), and 10-yard dash (1.56s) and decided to forgo the other combine drills he had already performed well in.He performed private workouts forDallas Cowboys andNew Orleans Saints and attended pre-draft visits with thePittsburgh Steelers andDetroit Lions.[4][5][6] At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, NFL draft experts and scouts projected Simmons would be selected in the third round. He was ranked as the fourth best free safety prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com. NFL analystMike Mayock andScouts Inc. ranked him as the sixth best safety prospect in the draft.[7]
| External videos | |
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 Justin Simmons' NFL Combine Workout |
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft2+3⁄8 in (1.89 m) | 202 lb (92 kg) | 32+5⁄8 in (0.83 m) | 9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m) | 4.61 s | 1.60 s | 2.67 s | 3.85 s | 6.58 s | 40 in (1.02 m) | 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) | 16 reps | |
| All values are fromNFL Combine.[8][9] | ||||||||||||
| External videos | |
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| Broncos select Justin Simmons No. 98 | |
| Flashback: Justin Simmons' draft day |
TheDenver Broncos selected Simmons in the third round (98th overall) of the2016 NFL draft.[10] Simmons was the seventh safety drafted in the 2016 NFL Draft and was the first of only two players drafted fromBoston College.[11] He was the first safety to be drafted from Boston College sinceWill Blackmon in2006 and only the second since2000.
On May 13, 2016, theDenver Broncos signed Simmons to four–year,$3.06 millioncontract that includes asigning bonus of $645,420.[12][13]
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Simmons enteredtraining camp slated as the primary backup safety.[14] Head coachGary Kubiak named Simmons the backup free safety to begin the regular season, behindDarian Stewart.[15]
Simmons made his NFL debut in the Broncos' season-opener against theCarolina Panthers and recorded one tackle in the narrow 21–20 victory. Simmons was inactive for the Broncos' Week 3 victory at theCincinnati Bengals due to a wrist injury.[16] He was sidelined for two more games (Weeks 5–6) due to a small fracture in his wrist.[17] In Week 8, Simmons recorded one tackle and made his first career sack as the Broncos defeated theSan Diego Chargers 27–19. Simmons sacked Chargers' quarterbackPhilip Rivers for a nine-yard loss during the fourth quarter.[18] On November 13, 2016, Simmons leaped over the offensive line and blocked an extra point attempt by Saints' kickerWil Lutz. The ball was recovered by Broncos teammateWill Parks and was returned for an 84-yard game-winningsafety as the Broncos defeated the Saints 25–23.[19] On December 18, 2016, Simmons earned his first career start and recorded two solo tackles during a 16–3 loss against theNew England Patriots in Week 15. On December 25, 2016, Simmons started in place ofT. J. Ward who sustained a concussion the previous week.[20] He collected a season-high five combined tackles, broke up two passes, and made his first career interception in the Broncos' 33–10 loss at theKansas City Chiefs in Week 16. Simmons intercepted a pass by Chiefs' quarterbackAlex Smith, that was initially intended for wide receiverTyreek Hill, and returned it for a 38-yard gain in the first quarter.[21] Simmons finished his rookie season in 2016 with 30 combined tackles (25 solo), four pass deflections, two interceptions, and one sack in 13 games and three starts.[22]
On January 2, 2017,Denver Broncos' head coach Gary Kubiak announced his decision to retire due to health issues.[23] On January 11, 2017, the Denver Broncos hiredMiami Dolphins defensive coordinatorVance Joseph as their new head coach. Joseph hiredJoe Woods to replaceWade Phillips as defensive coordinator.[24] Simmons entered training camp slated as a backup safety but began competing against T.J. Ward to be the starting strong safety after impressing the coaching staff. Head coach Vance Joseph named Simmons the starting strong safety to begin the regular season and elected to releaseT. J. Ward as part of the Broncos' final roster cuts.[25]
During Week 6, Simmons collected a season-high 11 solo tackles and deflected two passes during a 23–10 loss against theNew York Giants. On December 3, 2017, he made seven combined tackles, broke up a pass attempt, and returned an interception for the firsttouchdown of his career during a 35–9 loss at the Dolphins in Week 13. Simmons intercepted a pass thrown by Dolphins' quarterbackJay Cutler, that was intended for wide receiverDeVante Parker, and returned it for a 65-yard touchdown during the third quarter.[26] In the next game, Simmons injured his ankle while celebrating a strip/sack withBrandon Marshall during a 23–0 victory against theNew York Jets. On December 13, 2017, he was placed oninjured reserve due to a sprained ankle.[27] He finished the season with 68 combined tackles (49 solo), five passes defensed, two interceptions, one sack, and one touchdown in 13 games and 13 starts.[22]
Hre entered theDenver Broncos training camp slated as the starting free safety after a promising 2017 season. Head coach Vance Joseph named Simmons and Darian Stewart the starting safeties to begin 2018.[28] In Week 11, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles (five solo) and deflected a pass during a 23–22 win at the Chargers. On December 2, 2018, Simmons made nine combined tackles, broke up a pass, and made his third interception of the season during a 24–10 victory at the Bengals in Week 13.[29] He started all 16 games in 2018 and recorded a career-high 97 combined tackles (71 solo), four pass deflections, and three interceptions while playing every single defensive snap for the first time in his career.[22] On December 31, 2018, the Broncos announced their decision to fire head coach Vance Joseph after they finished with a 6–10 record.[30] He received an overall grade of 60.8 fromPro Football Focus, which ranked 74th among all qualified safeties in 2018.[31]
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On January 10, 2019, theDenver Broncos hiredChicago Bears' defensive coordinatorVic Fangio ashead coach.[32] Fangio was a part of former Denver Broncos' head coachJohn Fox's staff in Chicago, as well as the new defensive coordinatorEd Donatell. Vic Fangio elected to retain Simmons as the starting free safety to begin the season, along withKareem Jackson at strong safety.
In Week 2, he collected a season-high nine combined tackles (eight solo) and deflected two passes during a 14–16 loss to theChicago Bears. On October 13, 2019, Simmons made four solo tackles, a pass deflection, and had an interception off ofMarcus Mariota to mark his second consecutive game with an interception as the Broncos defeated theTennessee Titans 16–0. In Week 14, Simmons recorded six combined tackles (two solo) and a season-high three pass deflections in a 38–24 victory at theHouston Texans.[33] He completed the season with a total of 93 combined tackles (65 solo), 15 pass deflections, and four interceptions while starting all 16 games.[34] He was the highest-graded safety in the NFL in 2019 with an overall grade of 90.8 fromPro Football Focus.[35] He played every single defensive snap for the second consecutive season and was elected as a second-team All-Pro.[36]
On March 13, 2020, theDenver Broncos placed thefranchise tag on Simmons.[37] On July 14, 2020, he signed the one-year tender worth $11.441 million on.[38]
On September 20, 2020, Simmons led the team with eight combined tackles (seven solo) and had a season-high two pass deflections while also making his first interception of the season thrown byBen Roethlisberger during the 26–21 loss at thePittsburgh Steelers.[39] In Week 10, he racked up a season-high nine combined tackles (five solo) as the Broncos lost 12-37 at theLas Vegas Raiders. The following week, with the Dolphins driving and trailing 20–13, Simmons intercepted a pass thrown by quarterbackRyan Fitzpatrick in the end zone with 1:05 left, halting the Dolphins comeback attempt and sealing a Broncos victory.[40][41] On December 21, 2020, Simmons was voted to the2021 Pro Bowl.[42] On January 3, 2021, Simmons produced three combined tackles (two solo), tied a season-high with two pass deflections, and set a career-high by recording his fifth interception of the season off a pass thrown byDerek Carr during the 32–31 loss against the Las Vegas Raiders.[43] He started in every game for the third consecutive season in2020 and finished with a total of 96 combined tackles (77 solo), nine pass deflections, and a career-high five interceptions. His performance in 2020 earned his a spot as the 45th best player voted among by his peers in theNFL Top 100 Players of 2021.
On March 5, 2021, the Denver Broncos placed the franchise tag on Simmons for a second consecutive season, offering a one-year, $13.73 million contract.[44] On March 19, 2021, the Denver Broncos and Simmons agreed upon a four-year,$61.00 million contract extension with the team that included $35.00 million guaranteed with $32.10 million guaranteed upon signing and an initialsigning bonus of $15.00 million.[45][46]
Defensive coordinator Ed Donatell retained Simmons and Kareem Jackson as the starting safeties to begin the season. On October 31, 2021, Simmons recorded seven solo tackles, two pass deflections, and set a career-high with two interceptions from passes thrown byTaylor Heinicke during a 17–10 win against theWashington Football Team.[47] In Week 12, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles (seven solo) and deflected two passes in the Broncos' 28–13 win over theLos Angeles Chargers. He started all 17 regular season games and produced 80 combined tackles (60 solo), 12 pass deflections, five interceptions, and 1.5 sacks. His performance earned his a spot as the 81st best player in theNFL Top 100 Players of 2022.
On January 9, 2022, theDenver Broncos fired head coachVic Fangio after finishing with a 7–10 record in 2021.[48] On January 27, 2022, theDenver Broncos hiredGreen Bay Packers' offensive coordinatorNathaniel Hackett as their head coach.[49] Simmons and Kareem Jackson returned as the starting safety tandem under defensive coordinatorEjiro Evero.
In Week 1, Simmons recorded nine combined tackles (two solo) before suffering a quad injury as the Broncos lost 16–17 at theSeattle Seahawks On September 14, 2022, the Denver Broncos officially placed Simmons oninjured reserve due to his quad injury and he would miss the next four games (Weeks 2–5).[50] On October 17, 2022, he was activated from injured reserve.[51] On December 4, 2022, Simmons made five combined tackles (four solo), two pass deflections, a forced fumble, and intercepted two passes byTyler Huntley in a 9–10 loss at theBaltimore Ravens. In Week 15, he had four combined tackles (two solo) and two interceptions from passes thrown byColt McCoy andTrace McSorley as the Broncos defeated theArizona Cardinals 24–15.[52] On December 26, 2022, the Denver Broncos fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett following a 4–11 record. On January 1, 2023, he recorded a solo tackle, a pass deflection, and set a career-high with his sixth interception of the season after picking offPatrick Mahomes during a 24–27 loss at theKansas City Chiefs. The following week, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles (seven solo) in a 31–28 win over theLos Angeles Chargers in Week 18. He ended the2022 NFL season with 69 combined tackles (42 solo), seven pass deflections, six interceptions, and a forced fumble in 12 games with 12 starts.[53] He finished the season with an overall grade of 73.2 from Pro Football Focus. He ranked 58th in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.[54]
On February 2, 2023, theDenver Broncos announced the hiring of formerNew Orleans Saints' head coachSean Payton as their third head coach in as many seasons.[55][56] Defensive coordinatorVance Joseph retained the duo of Simmons and Kareem Jackson as the starting safeties. In Week 2, Simmons racked up a season-high ten combined tackles (seven solo) in the Broncos' 33–35 loss against theWashington Commanders. Simmons was inactive for the next two games (Weeks 3–4) after injuring his hip. In Week 8, Simmons played a large role in the Broncos ending their 16-game losing streak to the Kansas City Chiefs, recording two tackles, a fumble recovery, and a fourth-quarter interception in a 24–9 victory. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.[57] It was the first time in his eight-year career that the Broncos beat the Chiefs. In Week 11, he had four combined tackles (three solo) and tied a career-high with three pass deflections during a 21–20 victory over theMinnesota Vikings. He recorded 70 combined tackles (53 solo), eight pass deflections, three interceptions, one sack, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in 15 games and 15 starts in2023. He was voted to the2024 Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro for the third consecutive season. He finished the season with an overall grade of 57.7 fromPro Football Focus. He was voted 57th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024.[58]
On March 7, 2024, theDenver Broncos released Simmons after eight seasons in order to save $14.5 million.[59]
On August 15, 2024, theAtlanta Falcons signed Simmons to a one–year, $7.50 million contract that was fully guaranteed upon signing and also included a signing bonus of $4.75 million.[60]
Although Simmons was signed towards the end of training camp, he competed for a role as a starting safety againstRichie Grant andDeMarcco Hellams.[61] Defensive coordinatorJimmy Lake chose Simmons to be the starting strong safety to start the regular season, alongside free safetyJessie Bates. In Week 3, he tied his season-high of six combined tackles (two solo), made a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass thrown byPatrick Mahomes during a 17–22 loss to theKansas City Chiefs. On December 16, 2024, Simmons had a season-high two pass deflections and intercepted a pass thrown byDesmond Ridder intended for wide receiverJakobi Meyers in the Falcons' 15–9 victory at theLas Vegas Raiders.[62] He finished the2024 NFL season with 62 combined tackles (36 solo), seven pass deflections, and two interceptions in 16 games and 16 starts.[63] He received an overall grade of 59.9 fromPro Football Focus, which ranked 113th among 171 qualifying safeties in 2024.[64]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | FF | FR | Yds | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | ||
| 2016 | DEN | 13 | 3 | 30 | 25 | 5 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 83 | 41.5 | 45 | 0 | 4 |
| 2017 | DEN | 13 | 13 | 69 | 50 | 19 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 65 | 32.5 | 65T | 1 | 5 |
| 2018 | DEN | 16 | 16 | 97 | 71 | 26 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 2.7 | 8 | 0 | 4 |
| 2019 | DEN | 16 | 16 | 93 | 65 | 28 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 30 | 7.5 | 17 | 0 | 15 |
| 2020 | DEN | 16 | 16 | 96 | 77 | 19 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 5 | 90 | 18.0 | 46 | 0 | 9 |
| 2021 | DEN | 17 | 17 | 80 | 60 | 20 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 76 | 15.2 | 35 | 0 | 12 |
| 2022 | DEN | 12 | 12 | 69 | 42 | 27 | 0.0 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 6 | 51 | 8.5 | 23 | 0 | 7 |
| 2023 | DEN | 15 | 15 | 70 | 53 | 17 | 1.0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 39 | 13.0 | 33 | 0 | 8 |
| 2024 | ATL | 16 | 16 | 62 | 36 | 26 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Career | 134 | 124 | 666 | 479 | 187 | 4.5 | 5 | 3 | 42 | 32 | 442 | 13.8 | 65T | 1 | 71 | |
Justin Simmons was born to Victor and Kimberly Simmons in 1993. His father isblack and his mother iswhite. Simmons also has two younger brothers, Nate and Tristan.
Simmons married his high school sweetheart Taryn Richard in 2016. They have two daughters, Laney and Shae, as well as a son, Kyler. Simmons frequently describes himself as a devoutChristian.[65]
In the summer of 2009, Simmons played in the USSSA U15 Florida state basketball championship game in Gainesville against the Jupiter Jaguars, a team that featured Tyler Cameron, future football player at Wake Forest and Florida Atlantic and member of season 15 of ABC's The Bachelorette as well as Kedric Bostic, future Quarterback at Princeton University, among others.
Media related toJustin Simmons (American football) at Wikimedia Commons