Denver Broncos release All-Pro safety Justin Simmons after eight seasons

The Denver Broncos announced another big roster move this week after releasing Russell Wilson. The team is parting ways with All-Pro safety Justin Simmons after eight seasons. Simmons, who was the league’s interceptions co-leader in 2022, now becomes a free agent for the first time in his career, and a high-value free agent at that.

The Broncos drafted Simmons with a third-round pick out of Boston College in the 2016 NFL Draft. He’s posted 603 total tackles with 4.5 sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles in his first eight seasons in the league. He also tallied 30 interceptions with one pick-six in his time in Denver.

The move clears $14.5 million from the team’s salary cap space in 2024. Simmons was playing on a four-year, $61 million deal that he signed in March of 2021. He signed that coming off of a franchise tag in 2020. They tagged him in back-to-back seasons after his rookie deal ran out.

Simmons earned two Pro Bowl selections, 2020 and 2023, and was a four-time second-team All-Pro selection. He was All-Pro in 2019 as well as from 2021 through 2023.

The Denver Broncos announced Monday that quarterback Russell Wilson will be released after the league year begins on March 13. Wilson’s release comes just two years removed from Denver acquiring him from the Seattle Seahawks and signing him to a five-year, $242.6 million extension.

His play dipped in 2022, as he threw for 3,524 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 60.5% passing. The Broncos went 4-11 in his starts.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. After the restricted free agent deadline comes the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.